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Presented   bT^roN-OOnrTDe^Jo nV^,~C) ."t) . 


BX  9211  .P5  M5  1873 
Mitchell,  James  Young,  1832 

1908. 
History  and  directory  of 

Temple  Presbyterian  Church 


X 


r-  — 


HISTOEY  AND  DIRECTORY 


Temple  Presbyterian  Church^ 


KOKMERLY 


CENTRAL  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  THE  NORTHERN  LIBERTIES, 


PHILADELPHIA 


JAMES    Y.    MITCHELL, 

PASTOR. 


J.  W.  DAUGHADAY  &  CO., 

PHILADELPHIA. 

1873. 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1873,  br 

JAMES  Y.  MITCHELL, 
in  the  office  of  the  Librarian  of  Congress,  Washington,  D,  C. 


Kighter  &  Gibson,  Biodcrs, 
KU  ChestDut  St. 


PREFACE. 


The  idea  of  writing  this  tistoiy  did  not  originate 
with  me.  By  a  vote  of  the  Board  of  Trustees,  on 
the  13th  of  April,  1868,  my  name  was  associated 
with  others  on  a  committee  to  do  a  work  of  this 
kind.  The  matter  of  compiling  and  writing  was  left 
entirely  to  me.  Yery  soon  after  this  appointment, 
engagements  connected  with  the  huilding  of  the 
"ISTew  Church  "  were  quite  sufficient  to  claim  all  the 
time  I  could  reasonably  give  outside  of  my  regular 
pastoral  duties.  This  will  account  for  the  work 
being  delayed  until  the  present  time.  More  recently 
our  Synod  took  formal  action  looking  towards  the 
preparation  of  histories  of  individual  churches,  and 
the  "Presbyterian  Historical  Society,"  through  its 
Secretary,  Mr.  Samuel  Agnew,  has  been  earnest  in 
pressing  this  subject  upon  the  attention  of  pastors. 

For  much  of  the  introductory  history  in  this 
volume  I  am  indebted  to  Rev.  T.  J.  Shepherd,  D.D.. 


PREFACE. 


whose  book,  entitled  "The  Days  that  are  Past," 
should  he  in  the  hands  of  all  who  are  interested  in 
the  beginnings  of  Presbyterianism  in  the  northern 
section  of  our  city.  I  have  also  examined,  in  connec- 
tion with  our  own  church  records,  the  records  of 
other  churches.  I  have  consulted  with  persons  in 
the  city,  and  corresponded  with  others  out  of  the 
city,  for  facts,  or  for  confirmatory  evidence  of  facts 
already  possessed. 

I  have  incorporated  here  and  there,  throughout 
the  work,  so  much  of  outside  history  as  I  have  felt 
requisite ;  for  frequently  w^hat  was  going  on  without 
was  the  occasion  of,  or  gave  coloring  to,  what  was 
going  on  within  the  church. 

I  am  glad  to  believe  that  the  work  meets  with  the 
cordial  approval  and  endorsement  of  those  to  whom 
it  has  already  been  submitted  for  examination,  and 
can  desire  no  more  than  that  its  publication  will  in- 
tensify the  attachment  and  love  of  our  members  to 
this  church,  which  God  has  so  wonderfully  kept, 
and  so  signally  blessed, 

JAS.  Y.  MITCHELL. 


May,  1873, 


HISTORY. 


••We  have  thought  of  thy  loving  kindness,  O,  God,  in  the 

MIDST  of  thy  temple.  WaLK  ABOUT  ZiON,  AND  GO  ROUND  ABOUT 
HER  :  TELL  THE  TOWERS  THEREOF.  MARK  YE  WELL  HER  BULWARKS, 
CONSIDER  HER  PALACES  ;  THAT  YE  MAY  TELL  IT  TO  THE  GENERA- 
TION FOLLOWING.      For  THIS  God   is   our  God,  for   ever  and 

EVER  :  HE  WILL  BE  OUR  GUIDE  EVEN  UNTO  DEATH." 

Psalm,  xlviii :  9,  12,  13,  14. 


CHURCH   HISTORY. 


TNTRODU€TORY   HISTORY, 

To  The  Presbyterian  Church  must  be  accorded 
the  honor  of  inaugurating  regular  religious  services 
in  the  northern  section  of  our  city. 

For  some  time  before  the  Revolutionary  War, 
when  all  north  of  Vine  street  was  nothing  more 
than  a  country  settlement,  the  Second  Presbyterian 
Church,  then  worshiping  at  the  corner  of  Third  and 
Arch  streets,  held  the  "  N'orth  End  "  of  the  city  as  a 
field  for  their  missionary  labors. 

There  was  not  the  attraction  of  a  dense  population 
to  call  them  to  this  work.  There  was  no  commo- 
dious or  attractive  room  in  which  to  gather  a  con- 
gregation. Love  for  souls,  and  a  deep  interest  in  the 
Master's  kingdom,  alone  impelled  them  to  it. 

ITninvitins;  as  the  field  was,  the  Second   Church 


8  HISTORY    OF    THE 

cultivated  it.  Arrangements  were  made  for  services 
to  be  held  at  stated  times,  in  a  small  house,  which 
they  provided  and  fitted  up,  at  the  north-east  corner 
of  St.  John  and  Coates  streets. 

The  different  pastors  of  that  church  fully  entered 
into  that  movement,  and  gave  of  their  time  and 
talents  to  preach  the  unsearchable  riches  of  Jesus 
Christ  in  the  midst  of  these  waste  places. 

In  the  Providence  of  God,  these  pulpit  ministra- 
tions were  of  the  very  highest  order.  During  the 
whole  time  that  this  was  occupied  as  a  missionary 
field,  the  Second  Church  was  blessed  with  four  of  the 
very  best  preachers  and  pastors,  viz. :  Drs.  Gilbert 
Tennent,  James  Sproat,  Ashbel  Green,  and  Jacob  J. 
Janeway ;  men  alike  gifted,  zealous,  wise,  warm- 
hearted and  evangelical. 

These  labors,  so  early  begun,  were  interrupted  by 
the  Revolutionary  War. 

The  British  army  encamped  here,  and  the  house 
in  which  religious  services  had  been  held  was  used 
as  a  receptacle  for  military  stores. 

From  this  fact  it  received  the  name  by  which  it 
was  afterwards  known — "  The  Old  Cannon  House J^ 

Soon  after  the  termination  of  the  "  War,"  Rev.  Dr. 
Sproat  revived  the  services  which  had  been  inter- 
rupted. 

The  congregation  soon  became  too  large  for  the 
building  they  had,  and,  of  necessity,  they  were  led 
to  consider  the  project  of  erecting  a  church  building 
elsewhere. 


TEMPLE    PRESBYTERIAN    CHURCH.  9 

A  lot  at  the  northwest  corner  of  Second  and 
Coates  streets,  was  donated  for  this  object  by  Mr. 
William  Coates.  Money  was  solicited  and  secured 
for  the  building.  The  work  went  on,  and  on  Sab- 
bath, April  7th,  1805,  the  completed  building  was 
opened  with  appropriate  services. 

This  mission  church  was  afterward  formally  or- 
ganized into  what  is  now  known  as  the  First  Pres- 
byterian Church  in  the  ISTorthern  Liberties. 

Grod  abundantly  blessed  the  labors  which  were 
there  bestowed.  He  poured  out  copiously  of  His 
Holy  Spirit  upon  the  people,  and  the  first  pastor  of 
the  church  had  the  pleasing  satisfaction  of  seeing 
the  membership  grow  from  fifty-two^  the  number  at 
the  time  of  his  installation,  January  11th,  1814,  to 
about  eleven  hundred^  the  number  enrolled  in  the 
spring  of  1829,  when  it  was  proposed  to  move  to  a 
more  westward  location. 

The  subject  of  removal  was  agitated  for  about 
three  years.  In  March,  1832,  a  lot  of  ground  was 
purchased  in  Buttonwood  street,  below  Sixth,  and  in 
May  following,  the  work  of  building  a  new  edifice 
commenced. 

The  lecture  room  in  tlie  new  church  building 
was  opened  for  service  in  December  of  the  same  year; 
and  on  May  12th,  1833,  the  audience  room  being  fin- 
ished, was  appropriately  dedicated  to  the  worship 
of  God. 

The  signal  success  which  attended  the  preaching 
of  Mr.  Patterson,  the  crowds  which  waited  on  his 


10  HISTORY    OF    THE 

ministry,  the  constant  growth  of  the  population,  and 
the  felt  want  of  increased  church  accommodations, 
led  some  of  his  people  to  seek  for  the  establish- 
ment of 

ANOTHER    CHURCH. 

As  early  as  the  year  1825,  one  hundred  and  four 
persons  petitioned  the  Philadelphia  Presbytery  to 
organize  a  new  church. 

Through  their  committee,  the  Presbytery  organized 
a  church,  to  be  known  as  the  "  Second  Presbyterian 
Church  in  the  IS'orthern  Liberties." 

This  church  called  the  Rev.  James  Smith  to  be 
their  pastor,  and  for  ^ve  years  maintained  worship 
in  the  Commissioners'  Hall,  in  Third  street,  below 
Green. 

At  the  end  of  that  time  they  undertook  the  erec- 
tion of  a  building  in  Sixth  street,  above  Green. 
They  succeeded  in  getting  the  building  under  roof, 
and  occupying  the  basement  for  worship,  but  they 
were  well-nigh  overwhelmed  with  financial  troubles. 

At  this  time, 

ANOTHER    COLONY, 

of  thirty-eight   persons,  went  out   from   the   First 
Church. 

These  persons  had  all  along  differed  from  their 
brethren  on  the  question  of  church  site,  and  felt,  too, 
that  they  had  an  independent  work  to  do  for  their 
Master.  They  asked,  therefore,  to  be  dismissed,  in 
order  to  constitute  the  ''  Third  Presbyterian  Church 
in  the  Northern  Liberties.'* 


TEMPLE    PRESBYTERIAN    CHURCH.  11 

Dismissed,  and  regularly  organized  into  a  church, 
they  met  for  worship,  conducted  by  Rev.  Hugh  M. 
Koontz,  in  a  school-room  on  Poplar  street,  above 
Second. 

In  the  course  of  a  few  months,  negotiations  for  the 
union  of  the  Second  and  Third  Churches  were  begun 
and  consummated."^ 

The  plan  of  union  provided  that  both  of  the 
churches  should  drop  their  names,  and  come  together 
under  the  name  of  "  The  First  Presbyterian  Church 
of  Penn  Township,  "f  The  pastor  of  the  Second 
Church  was  to  resign,  and  Rev.  H.  M.  Koontz,  the 
supply  of  the  Third  Church,  was  to  be  elected  pastor 
of  the  united  church.  The  burden  of  completing  the 
building  was  to  be  borne  by  the  Third  Church. 

Thus  united,  the  work  of  finishing  the  building 
was  pushed  rapidly  forward. 


II. 

ORGANIZATION  OF  THE  "  CENTRAL  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH 
IN  THE  NORTHERN  LIPT^-RTIES." 

In  the  "  First  Church  of  P'  in  Township,"  dif- 
ferences of  opinion  soon  arose,  and  before  the  con- 
gregation had  occupied  the  audience-room  of  their 
building,  the  communion  was  distracted  and  divided. 
One  part,  by  common  consent,  retained  the  house,  the 

*  This  new  organization  was  effected  November  2l3t,  1831. 

t  This  church  ia  now  called  "  The  North  Presbvterian  Church." 


12  HISTORY    OF    THE 

* 

pastor,  and  the  name.  The  other  part  returned  to 
the  school-room  on  Poplar  street,  worshiped  there 
for  a  short  time,  then  went  to  "  The  Commissioners' 
Hall,"  in  Third  street,  below  Green.* 

In  the  second  story  of  this  hall  a  church  organiza- 
tion was  effected,  on  June  24th,  1835,  under  the  title 
of  "  The  Central  Presb^^terian  Church  in  the  i^Torthern 
Liberties."  Rev.  John  McDowell,  D.D.,  presided, 
and  Rev.  C.  C.  Cuyler,  D.D.,  assisted  at  the  organi- 
zation. Twenty-one  persons  enrolled  themselves  as 
members  of  the  church.  These  persons  presented 
certificates  of  dismission  to  organize  this  new  church, 
as  follows : 

From  the  First  Presbyterian  Churchy  Penn  Township, 

Charles  Elliot,  Joseph  Pond, 

Anna  Maria  Elliot,  Catharine  Pond, 

John  G.  Flegel,  Hannah  Harby, 

Sarah  Flegel,  Margaret  Naglee, 

Ellen  J^aglee,  Ann  Reynolds, 

Joseph  Naglee,  Benjamin  IjTaglee, 

Hannah  A.  I!Taglee,  Hannah  R.  JSTaglee, 

From  the  Fifth  Presbyterian  Churchy  Philadelphia, 
John  A.  Stewart,  Margaret  Stewart. 

From  the  First  Presbyterian  Churchy  Northern  Liberties. 
William  P.  Aitken,  Amelia  Aitken, 

Joseph  Aitken,  Mary  M.  Aitken, 

Charles  C.  Aitken. 


*  This  hall  was  torn  down  some  few  years  apjo,  and  in  its  place  now  stands  the 
Northern  Liberties  Public  School. 


TEMPLE    PRESBYTERIAN    CHURCH.  13 

After  the  organization,  the  people  elected  three 
elders,  who  were  solemnly  set  apart  to  their  office. 
Agreeably  to  a  notice  given  from  the  pulpit,  June 
28th,  1835,  a  meeting  of  the  congregation  was  held  , 
on  Monday,  June  29th.  At  this  meeting  the  con- 
gregation proceeded  to  an  election  for  pastor,  when  a 
call  was  unanimously  made  out  for  the  pastoral  ser- 
vices of  Rev.  Wm.  H.  Burroughs."^ 

Mr.  Burroughs  had  been  preaching  and  laboring 
in  the  JN'orthern  Liberties  since  the  19th  of  April, 
preceding  this  meeting,  and  with  considerable  suc- 
cess. He  accepted  the  call  of  this  congregation,  and 
was  installed  as  the/r5^  pastor  of  this  church  by  the 
Second  Presbytery  of  Philadelphia,  on  the  evening  of 
August  24th,  1835. 

The  installation  services  were  held  in  the  First 


*  Mr.  Burroughs  "was  born  in  Vermont,  and  educated  at  Hamilton  College, 
N.  Y.  After  leaving  College,  he  taught  for  some  time  a  classical  school  in 
Trenton,  N.  J  Afterwards  he  became  a  teacher  in  the  Manual  Labor  Institu- 
tion at  Germantown,  Pa.  When  a  Manual  Labor  Academy  was  instituted  at 
Elizabethtown,  N.  J.,he  was  invited  to  take  charge  of  it,  which  he  did,  and 
continued  in  this  position  for  two  years,  when  he  relinquished  it,  in  order  to  give 
his  whole  attention  to  preparation  for  the  ministry.  He  was  licensed  to  preach 
the  gospel  by  the  Presbytery  of  Elizabethtown,  February  19th,  1833.  Two 
months  later,  by  the  same  Presbytery,  he  was  ordained  to  the  work  of  the  gospel 
ministry  with  a  "view  to  his  laboring  as  a  stated  supply  in  the  church  at  New 
Providence,  N.  J.  On  October  8th,  1833,  he  was  regularly  installed  as  pastor  of 
that  church.  In  the  spring  of  1834  he  was  called  to  the  First  Church,  Penn 
Township,  but  his  Presbytery  refused  to  release  him  from  his  charge  at  New 
Providence.  His  health  was  greatly  impaired  about  this  time;  and  after  a 
journey  to  the  Sonth  in  1834,  he  returned  to  his  charge,  followed  by  a  call  from 
Oakland  College,  Mississippi,  to  become  a  Professor  in  that  institution,  also  by 
overtures  from  a  number  of  persons  in  the  First  Church,  Penn  Township,  to 
come  to  this  city  and  Ijad  them  in  the  formation  of  a  congregation  and  the 
building  of  a  new  church.  This  invitation  he  accepted,  and  thus  became  the 
first  pastor  of  this  church . 


14  HISTORY    OF    THE 

Presbyterian  Church,  N.  L.,  by  invitation  from  the 
pastor,  Rev.  James  Patterson. 

Before  this  church  .organization,  however,  the  peo- 
ple, though  small  in  numbers,  were  arranging  for 
the  building  of  a  church  edifice.  By  mutual  agree- 
ment, Messrs.  Joseph  ^aglee,  Benjamin  Naglee,  Joseph 
Pond,  John  A.  Stewart,  and  John  Gr.  Flegel,  met 
with  Mr.  Charles  Elliot,  at  his  house,  on  December 
31st,  1834,  to  consult  together  "  on  the  expediency  of 
erecting  a  building,  to  be  occupied  by  a  Presbyterian 
congregation,  in  the  I^orthern  Liberties.'^ 

After  prayer,  and  a  free  conversation  on  the  sub- 
ject named,  this  little  company  organized  themselves 
into  what  they  denominated  an  "Association,"  having 
for  its  object  the  "purchase  of  a  lot  of  ground,  and 
the  erection  thereon  of  a  building  of  sufficient  dimen- 
sions to  accommodate  a  congregation,  and  also  to  be 
so  constructed  as  to  be  useful  for  Sunday  and  infant 
schools,  and  any  other  object  by  which  the  morals  and 
minds  of  the  youth  of  this  neighborhood  may  be 
improved." 

Frequent  meetings  of  the  Association  were  held, 
and  arrangements  were  soon  entered  into  to  purchase 
groYind  on  the  north  side  of  Coates  street,  below 
Fourth.  At  this  place  there  were  two  lots  adjoin- 
ing, belonging  to  different  owners,  and  occupied  at 
the  time  with  small  houses.  To  one  of  these  owners 
was  given  $4,000,  and  to  the  other  $3,650,  making  a 
total  for  the  lots  and  buildings  thereon  of  $7,650. 

The  Association  added  other  persons  to  their  mem- 


-1(1^. 


TIIK    ()  M)  (   IHIU  II 


TEMPLE    PRESBYTERIAN    CHURCH.  15 

bership,  and  they  held  the  property,  which  they 
secured,  in  stock,  at  $200  per  share. 

The  two  lots  purchased,  when  thrown  into  one, 
had  a  frontage  on  Coates  street  of  80  feet,  and  ran 
back  to  a  depth  of  157  feet. 

The  work  of  cleaning  the  ground,  and  preparing 
for  building,  was  soon  actively  commenced.  The 
small  houses  on  the  front  of  the  lot,  to  the  east  and 
west,  were  allowed  to  remain,  w^hile  an  avenue,  80 
feet  wide,  was  opened  in  the  center,  running  back  81 
feet  from  the  building  line  on  Coates  street.  Where 
this  avenue  ended,  the  front  of  the  church  building 
stood. 

The  building  itself  was  61  feet  wide  by  66  feet 
deep.  It  was  built  of  stone  and  rough-cast.  Its 
design  was  plain,  but  attractive,  and  was  in  rigid 
conformity  to  the  style* of  church  architecture  com- 
mon at  that  day. 

The  trees  which  grew  on  either  side  of  the  long 
avenue,  gave  a  special  attractiveness  to  the  exterior 
as  one  approached  the  building,  and  we  have  no 
doubt  that  its  projectors  and  builders  regarded  it 
comflete^  as  completeness  was  reckoned  in  those  days. 
When  finished,  it  had  on  the  main  floor  of  the  audi- 
ence-room one  hundred  and  seventeen  pews,  and  in 
the  gallery  thirty  pews.  These  pews  afforded  sitting 
accommodation  for  about  seven  hundred  persons. 

On  the  lower  floor,  there  were  the  lecture  room, 
which  was  used  also  as  the  main  Sunday  School 
room;  the  session  and  trustees'  room, and  the  Infant 
Sundav  Scliool  room. 


16  HISTORY    OF    THE 

Like  all  the  lecture  rooms  of  churches  built  about 
this  time,  the  one  in  this  church  was,  in  the  true 
sense  of  that  word,  a  basement  Its  floor  was  several 
feet  below  the  line  of  the  pavement,  and  we  wonder 
not,  that  in  our  day,  many  complaints  were  made 
of  its  darkness  and  dampness. 

One  of  the  essentials  of  a  church  property  in  those 
days,  was  to  have  provision  made  for  the  burial  of 
the  dead.  Hence,  burial  vaults  were  arranged  on  the 
east  side,  and  in  front  of  the  building.  Some  of 
these  were  designed  for  the  poor  of  the  church,  some 
for  rent  to  outside  parties,  and  some  for  sale  to  any 
desiring  to  purchase. 

The  work  of  building  had  so  far  progressed  during 
the  spring  and  summer  of  1835,  that  on  the  12tli  of 
October,  the  Association  appointed  a  committee  to  in- 
vite the  congregation  worshiping  in  Commissioners' 
Hall,  which  had  been  duly  organized  as  the  Central 
Presbyterian  Church  in  the  J^orthern  Liberties,  to 
come,  with  their  pastor,  and  hold  their  services  in 
the  Session  room  of  the  new  building. 

This  invitation  was  accepted,  and  on  the  14th  of 
November,  1835,  this  church  and  congregation,  not 
only  met  there  for  Avorship,  but  with  'appropriate  ex- 
ercises formally  dedicated  the  lower  room  to  the  ser- 
vice of  God."^ 

*  A  short  lime  before  the  opening  of  the  church,  the  pastor  had  ruptured  a 
Mood  vessel.  In  avery  weak  condition,  he  attended  the  opening  services.  Rev. 
Mr.  Bacon,  a  city  missionary,  preaclied  the  sermon.  The  pastor  offered  the 
prayer,  and  baptized  Miss  Malviua  Walton,  who  was  received  into  the  church  on 
profession  of  faith.     This  was  the  last  time  Mr.  Burroughs  was  in  the  church. 


TEMPLE   PRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH.  17 

While  the  work  of  finishing  the  main  room  of  the 
building  was  going  on,  the  attention  of  the  congre- 
gation was  (Irrected  to  the  framing  of  a  Constitution, 
and  the  securing  of  a  Charter. 

A  Constitution  was  adopted  in  the  beginning  of 
the  year  1836,  and  the  Charter  was  obtained  and  re- 
corded at  Harrisburg,  July  8th,  of  the  same  year. 

Under  this  Constitution  and  Charter  the  following 
persons  constituted  the  first  Board  of  Trustees : 

Benjamin  Naglee,  j  To  serve  until  the  second 
Charles  Elliot,  >     Monday  in  January, 

John  A.  Stewart,  j  1837* 

Edward  Patteson,  ^  To  serve  until  the  second 

Caspar  Yeager,  V     Monday  in  January, 

Peter  Mintzer,  J  1838. 

Joseph  Pond,  ]  To  serve  until  the  second 
Joseph  [N'aolee,  >     Monday  in  January, 

John  G.  Flegel,  j  1839. 

The  first  annual  meeting  of  the  congregation, 
under  the  Charter,  was  held  January  9th,  1837 ;  at 
which  time  Messers.  B.  I^aglee,  C.  Elliot,  and  J.  A. 
Stewart,  whose  term  of  service  in  the  Board  had  ex- 
pired, were  elected  hy  ballot.,  to  serve  for  three  years. 

The  first  meeting  of  the  Board  of  Trustees,  under 

the  Charter,  was  held  July  27th,  1836.     An  election 

for  officers  took  place  with   the   following  result: 

President,  Charles  Elliot. 

Secretary,  Edward  Patteson. 

Treasurer,  Benjamin  Kaglee. 
2 


18  HISTORY   OF   THE 

At  this  meeting  a.  committee  was  appointed  to 
confer  with  the  Association,  relative  to  the  transfer 
of  their  property  to  this  congregation.  Also,  a  com- 
mittee to  draft  suitable  By-Laws  for  the  government 
of  the  Board. 

While  these  temporal  interests  were  being  con- 
gidered,  the  church  was  not  neglecting-  spiritual 
affairs.  They  maintained  their  services  regularly, 
and  the  spirit  of  the  records  shows  that  all  the  mem- 
bers were  awake  to  do  the  "  will  of  God." 

Their  pastor,  however.  Rev.  Wm.  H.  Burroughs, 
was  compelled  by  feeble  health  to  leave  them,  and  in 
less  than  one  year  from  the  time  of  his  installation, 
God  called  him  "  Home." 

There  were  added  to  the  church,  during  his  minis- 
try, twenty-three  persons. 

CALL   DECLINED. 

The  congregation  met,  agreeably  to  notice  given 
from  the  pulpit,  on  Tuesday  evening,  May  10th, 
1836,  to  proceed  if  the  way  be  clear,  to  the  election 
of  a  pastor.  At  this  meeting  they  elected  Rev. 
Robert  Dunlap,  then  of  Danville,  as  their  pastor, 
Mr.  Dunlap,  however,  declined  to  accept  the  call  ol 
this  congregation. 


TEMPLE   PRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH.  19 

III. 

REV.  T.  A.  J.  MINES,  THE  SECOND  PASTOR. 

About  the  1st  of  August,  1836,  the  upper  part  of 
the  church  building  was  finished  and  appropriately 
opened  for  Divine  Service. 

The  people,  who  had  (since  the  dissolution  of  Mr^ 
Burroughs'  pastoral  relation)  been  depending  on  sup- 
plies for  their  pulpit,  now  took  steps  to  call  a  pastor. 

Accordingly,  on  the  26th  of  August,  1836,  a  con- 
gregational meeting  was  held,  and  Rev.  Thomas  A.  J. 
Mines  was  elected  pastor.  He  was  installed  in  the 
month  of  September  folio  wing*  His  ministry  among 
the  people  was  brief;  Sickness  compelled  him,  at  the 
end  of  two  months,  to  retire  from  the  work.* 

The  congregation  were  again  dependent  on  pulpit 
supplies,  but  the  people  kept  in  good  heart,  and  dili- 
gently applied  themselves  to  their  labors. 

The  committee  of  the  Trustees  appointed  to  confer 
with  the  Association  relative  to  the  transfer  of  their 
property  to  the  congregation,  made  their  report 
August  13th,  1836.     It  was  in  substance  as  follows : 

"The  Association  express  a  willingness  to  transfer 


*  We  have  been  unable  to  obtain  detailed  information  concerning  Mr.  Mines, 
We  know  only  that  he  was  born  in  Virginia,  and  that  in  1832  he  was  received 
as  a  student  in  the  Theological  Seminary  at  Princeton,  N.  J.  Here  he  continued 
for  a  little  over  a  year,  when  he  went  to  Maysville,  Ky. ;  then  to  Germantown, 
Pa.;  and  afterwards  to  Carbondale,  Pa.  He  was  preaching  at  the  latter  place 
when  he  received  the  call  to  this  church,  which  he  accepted.  This  was  his  last 
charge.  Upon  resigning,  he  went  to  the  house  of  his  father,  Rev.  John  Mines, 
who  then  lived  at  Rockville,  Md.  After  an  illness  of  about  fifteen  months,  God 
called  him  home. 


20  HISTORY    OF    THE 

the  property  now  held  by  them  in  Coates  street,  near 
Fourth,  to  this  congregation,  provided  this  congrega- 
tion pay  them  the  amount  of  monej^  advanced  by 
them,  and  assume  all  the  responsibility  incurred  by 
them  in  purchasing  the  lot,  and  erecting  the  building 
and  burial  vaults,  so  as  to  release  them." 

This  proposition  was  accepted  by  the  Trustees,  and 
a  committee  was  appointed  to  make  the  arrangements 
and  receive  the  transfer,  subject  to  the  ap])roval  of 
the  congregation. 

Considerable  delay  occurred  before  the  matter  was 
consummated ;  a  delay,  as  we  learn  from  the  report 
of  the  Trustees,  made  at  a  congregational  meeting 
held  January  8th,  1838,  occasioned  by  the  unfinished 
condition  of  the  church,  and  the  unfinished  state  of 
the  accounts  of  the  Association. 

At  this  meeting  the  congregation  empowered  the 
Board  of  Trustees  to  make  all  the  necessary  arrange- 
ments for  the  transfer  of  the  property  to  them,  and 
to  call  the  congregation  together  when  they  were 
ready  to  report. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  congregation,  held  April  2-l:th, 
1838,  the  terms  of  the  transfer  were  read  in  detail, 
and,  on  motion,  "  the  Trustees  were  authorized  to 
carry  the  conditions  of  the  Association  into  efiect, 
by  giving  corporation  notes,  and  executing  the  deeds 
and  mortgages  therein  specified." 

The  whole  cost  of  the  property,  including  lot, 
building  and  vaults,  was  $23,433.85.  Deducting  the 
amount  credited  to  the  congregation  from  the  time 


TEMPLE    PRESBYTERIAN    CHURCH.  21 

of  its  occupancy  of  the  building,  there  was  a  balance 
still  due  the  Association  of  $21,289.92.  This  was 
the  actual  indebtedness  of  the  church  at  the  time  of 
the  transfer.  From  the  sale  of  pews  and  burial  vaults, 
this  amount  was  afterwards  reduced  to  $17,039.92, 
which  was  called  the  "  standing, debt." 

The  congregation,  at  the  time  they  accepted  the 
property,  with  the  heavy  debt  resting  upon  it,  was 
comparatively  small.  The  records  show  quite  clearly 
that  the  average  attendance  upon  the  Sabbath  services 
was  less  than  two  hundred  persons.  Yet  they  were 
a  people  accustomed  to  church  hardships  and  church 
toil ;  and,  as  their  annual  reports  in  these  early 
years  so  frequently  express  it,  they  labored  patiently? 
zealously  and  unitedly,  trusting  ever  in  the  blessing 
of  God. 


IV. 

REV.    ANSON   ROOD,    THE    THIRD    PASTOR.* 


") 


It  was  the  good  fortune  of  this  people,  under  God, 
to  call  as  their  pastor  Eev.  Anson  Rood,  from  Dan- 
bury,  Connecticut.  He  was  duly  installed  December 
15th,  1837.  His  salary  was  fixed  at  $1000  per  an- 
num. It  seems  that  Mr.  Rood  was  eminently  qualified 

*  Mr.  Rood  was  born  in  Vermont.  He  graduated  at  Middleburg  College,  Vt., 
in  1825.  For  a  short  time  after  graduation  he  was  a  student  in  Princeton  Theo- 
logical Seminary.  He  was  ordained  a  pastor  of  the  church  at  Danbury,  Conn., 
April  23d,  1829.  He  continued  with  his  first  charge  until  he  accepted  the  call 
to  this  church.  After  resigning  his  pastoral  charge  of  this  church,  his  health 
never  permitted  him  to  undertake  the  work  again. 


22  HISTORY   OF   THE 

to  encourage  the  people.     He  entered  heartily  into 
their  work.     He  was  one  with  them. 

We  might  reasonaljly  expect  that  there  would  be 
embarrassing  times  for  years  to  come,  after  a  feeble 
church  had  assumed  such  a  weight  of  debt.  But  it 
was  comforting  to  this  people  to  have  in  their  pastor 
one  who,  never  despairing,  bade  them  "go  forward." 

While  it  is  bewildering  to  us  to  read  of  liabilities, 
deficiencies,  loans  and  mortgages,  which  constantly 
meet  our  eyes  in  turning  the  pages  of  our  earliest 
records,  it  is  quite  gratifying  to  discover  that  those 
w^ho  have  gone  before  us  were  never  slow  to  suggest 
ways  and  means  to  meet  the  demands  upon  them. 

The  pastor  constantly  stirred  up  the  people,  from 
the  pulpit,  to  a  remembrance  that  these  must  be  met. 
Subscription  papers  were  started  on  the  Sabbath,  and 
during  the  week.  These  were  scarcely  out  of  sight 
before  others  were  presented.  Such  rooms  as  could 
be  used  were  rented  for  week-day  schools.  The 
ladies  formed  a  ''Mite  Society."  The  people  were 
earnestly  solicited  to  give  more  liberally  to  the  Sab- 
bath collections.  All  the  income  of  the  church  was 
voted  to  meet  the  claims  upon  it,  and  the  pastor's 
salary  was  to  be  met  by  voluntary  subscriptions. 
Pew  rents  were  raised,  and  lowered,  and  raised  again, 
as  the  exigency  of  the  case  required.  Money  was 
raised  on  mortgage,  so  that  a  previous  mortgage 
might  be  paid,  and  those  who  had  it  in  their  power 
frequently  relieved  the  church  from  pressing  claims, 
by  making  temporary  loans. 


TEMPLE    PRESBYTERIAN    CHURCH.  23 

Such  was,  in  brief,  the  condition  of  temporal  things 
during  the  nine  years  succeeding  the  time  of  the 
transfer  of  the  property  trom  the  Association  to  the 
congregation. 

During  the  spring  of  1847,  a  determined  effort  be- 
gan to  change  the  aspect  of  affairs.  A  committee, 
in  conjunction  with  the  pastor,  undertook  to  raise  an 
amount  sufficient  to  free  the  church  from  all  embar- 
rassment. They  were  so  far  successful  that  on  May 
26th,  1847,  according  to  a  previous  announcement, 
the  congregation  met  to  congratulate  each  other,  and 
return  thanks  to  God.  At  this  meeting  a  series  of 
congratulatory  resolutions  were  adopted ;  and  after 
enjoying  some  refreshments,  which  had  been  pro- 
vided, the  congregation  adjourned. 

The  measure  of  this  success,  as  we  find  reported  at 
a  congregational  meeting,  held  January  11th,  1848, 
was  the  reduction  of  the  "permanent  debt"  from 
$16,200  to  $8,750.  During  that  same  year  the  two 
lots  on  Coates  street,  to  the  front  of  and  east  and 
west  of  the  church,  and  running  back  eighty  feet, 
were  sold  to  parties  with  the  understanding  that 
they  should  erect  thereon  two  fine  brick  dwellings. 
For  these  lots  the  Board  of  Trustees  received  $3,000. 
This  amount  with  the  special  effort  before  named, 
enabled  the  Trustees,  in  their  annual  report,  pre- 
sented in  1848,  to  announce  the  "permanent  debt" 
of  the  church  to  be  $5,750.  In  addition  to  this,  they 
reported  also  a  floating  debt  of  $1,349. 

During  these  years,  when  the  congregation  was 


24  HISTORY    OF   THE 

struggling  to  maintain  itself,  we  do  well  to  remem- 
ber that  it  was  not  forgetful  of  the  wants  of  others. 
The  church  was  opened  time  and  again  for  worthy 
objects.  The  Tract,  the  Bible,  the  Mission,  and 
other  causes,  were  allowed  to  be  presented,  and  ap- 
peals for  help  were  cheerfully  and  liberally  responded 
to.  So  truly  was  this  the  case,  and  so  generally  was 
the  fact  known,  that  our  church  had  the  honorable 
reputation  of  being  one  of  the  most  benevolent  in 
the  city.  80  deeply  interested  was  the  pastor  in  be- 
half of  the  needy,  that  his  seeking  after  them,  and 
making  provision  for  their  necessities,  amounted 
almost  to  a  passion.  He  not  only  cheerfully  gave  of 
his  own  substance,  but  canvassed  his  congregation 
for  further  gifts,  to  help  the  deserving  poor  whom 
he  had  previously  sought  out.  His  large-hearted- 
ness  was  fully  understood  and  appreciated  by  the 
congregation.  They  in  turn  sought  to  "devise  libe- 
ral things."  They  kept  their  property  in  good  repair, 
altered  it,  sometimes  at  considerable  expense,  if  the 
improvements  of  the  times  or  the  comforts  of  the 
people  required  it. 

For  the  first  time  in  its  history,  the  building  was 
closed  from  the  latter  part  of  June,  1841,  until  the 
8th  of  August,  for  repairs.  During  this  time  it  was 
thoroughly  cleaned  and  painted.  An  organ  was 
placed  in  the  gallery,  pipes  were  introduced  into  the 
building,  and  gaslight  took  the  place  of  oil  light. 
In  every  way  the  people  sought  to  make  the  place 
suitable  for  a  worshiping  assembly.  ^ 


TEMPLE    PRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH.  25 

It  is  not  to  be  wondered  a  t  that  God  gave  spiritual 
blessings  to  those  who  were  bent  upon  building  up 
his  church.  He  contiiuially  reminded  them  that  he 
was  with  them.  During  these  years  he  poured  out 
his  Holy  Spirit,  and  there  were  added  unto  the 
church  a  goodly  number  of  souls. 

One  precious  revival  began  in  the  winter  of  1842, 
and  continued  without  interruption  for  twelve  weeks. 
It  was  denominated  "The  Great  Revival."  Meet- 
ings were  held  every  evening  but  Saturday  evening, 
and,  as  a  result,  more  than  one  hundred  were  con- 
verted, and  added  to  the  church. 

Mr.  Rood's  health  had  become  greatly  impaired, 
so  that  he  was  compelled  to  seek  rest  from  his  pas- 
toral cares.  Accordingly  he  addressed  the  following 
letter  to  the  Session  of  the  church,  and  they,  in  turn, 
laid  it  before  the  people  at  a  congregational  meeting 
held  January  24th,  1849. 

Dear  Brethren  : 

I  address  you,  as  the  proper  organ  of  commu- 
nication with  the  church  and  congregation,  in  refer- 
ence to  a  subject  mutually  interesting  to  them  and 
myself.  For  many  weeks  as  is  well  known,  I  have 
been  laid  aside  from  my  usual  labors,  and  I  see  no 
prospect  of  being  able  to  resume  them.  I  am  quite 
sensible  that  the  congregation  whose  interests  I  have 
had  so  much  at  heart,  must  suffer  inconvenience  and 
injury  by  this  long  suspension  of  pastoral  labor ;  and 
I  have  resolved,  therefore,  to  resign  my  pastoral 
charge,  that  there  may  be  no  impediment  in  filling 
my  place  with  one  whose  time  and  energies,  shall  be 


26  HISTORY    OF    THE 

devoted  to  the  work  in  which  I  have  been  engaged. 
In  taking  this  step  (which  it  is  proper  to  say  is  en- 
tirely the  prompting  of  my  own  convictions  of 
duty),  there  are  a  thousand  tender  recollections,  and 
associations,  which  press  upon  my  mind.  I  think  ot 
months  and  ^^ears  that  are  past,  of  the  harmonies 
and  happy  charge  I  left  to  come  among  you ;  of  my 
hopes  and  plans,  my  desires  and  aims.  But  on  this 
topic,  I  must  not,  I  cannot  dwell.  In  my  present 
circumstances  as  may  well  be  supposed,  an  en- 
largement upon  them  must  be  extremely  painful 
to  me. 

Let  me  through  you,  express  to  all  the  members 
of  the  church  and  congregation,  my  sincere  thanks 
for  all  their  kind  attention  and  regard.  We  have 
lived  together  in  great  harmony.  We  shall  part,  I 
am  sure,  with  feelings  of  mutual  kindness  and  good 
will.  That  the  richest  blessings  of  the  Good  Shep- 
herd, may  rest  on  you  and  yours,  tha.t  you  may  be 
firmly  established  in  the  faith,  and  devoted  to  every 
good  word  and  work,  is  the  desire  and  prayer  of  your 
sincere  friend  and  pastor, 

(Signed)        A.  Rood. 

Philadelphia,  January  6, 1849. 

After  the  reading  of  the  letter  from  Mr.  Eood,  a 
committee,  consisting  of  Messrs.  E.  D.  Tarr,  R.  M. 
Foust,  Wm.  Sanderson,  and  Isaac  Ashmead,  was  ap- 
pointed to  draft  resolutions,  expressive  of  the  senti- 
ments of  the  meeting.  The  congregation  engaged 
in  devotional  exercises,  until  the  committee  were 
prepared  to  report. 

After  a  season  of  absence,  the  majority  of  the 
committee  reported  as  follows : 


TEMPLE   PRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH.  27 

Besolved^  Ist.  That,  in  view  of  the  peculiar  state 
of  the  Rev.  A.  Rood's  health,  and  his  consequent 
desire  to  withdraw  from  the  pastoral  duties  of  this 
church  and  congregation ;  we  do  not  deem  it  advisa- 
ble to  oppose  his  expressed  desire  to  be  dismissed. 

Resolved^  2d.  That  this  congregation  deeply  and 
sincerely  regret,  that  the  health  of  Mr.  Rood,  was 
deemed  by  him  such  as  to  make  it  necessary,  in  his 
opinion,  to  withdraw  from  his  pastoral  relations  with 
this  church. 

Resolved^  3d.  That  the  uniform  and  consistent 
character,  the  amiable  and  Christian  deportment,  the 
zealous  and  untiring  and  successful  discharge  of  the 
pastoral  relations  of  the  Rev.  A.  Rood,  call  forth 
our  highest  admiration  and  commendation,  and 
cause  us  to  feel  more  sensibly  the  pangs  of  separa- 
tion. 

Resolved^  4th.  That,  in  retiring  from  the  position 
in  which  for  a  long  season  he  has  faithfully  labored, 
our  pastor  carries  with  him  our  regret  for  the  sepa- 
ration, our  sympathies  for  his  trials,  and  our  earnest 
prayers  for  his  speedy  recovery  to  health. 

Resolved^  5th.  That  three  members  of  this  con- 
gregation be  appointed  to  represent  this  congregation 
in  rresbytery. 

Mr.  Isaac  Ashmead,  the  other  member  of  the 
committee,  who  had  not  subscribed  to  the  resolutions 
as  offered,  proposed  the  following  as  an  amendment : 
To  strike  out  all  after  the  first  word,  "  Resolved," 
and  insert  the  following :  "  That  in  view  of  the  pe- 
culiar circumstances  in  which  our  pastor  has  been  for 
a  long  time  placed,  it  is  inexpedient  to  take  action 
upon  his  communication  at  the  present  time." 

The  people,  by  the  discussion  which  followed,  gave 


28  HISTORY    OF    THE 

evidence  that  thej  were  not  jet  prepared  to  act  in 
the  matter.  They  dispotJed  of  the  whole  subject  at 
that  meeting,  by  laying  the  communication  from 
their  pastor,  with  the  resolutions  of  their  committee, 
and  the  proposed  amendment,  upon  the  table,  and 
adjourned  to  meet  March  5th,  1849. 

At  this  meeting,  the  folloAving  preamble  and  reso- 
lution were  adopted  unanimously : 

"Whereas,  The  session  communicates  the  fact  to 
the  meeting  this  evening,  that  the  Eev.  A.  Rood, 
in  a  letter  dated  February  23d,  1849,  has  renewed  his 
desire  that  his  resignation  should  be  accepted  ;  there- 
fore. 

Resolved^  That  the  resolutions  reported  at  the 
meeting  held  January  24th,  be  adopted. 

Messrs.  Elihu  D.  Tarr,  Robert  M.  Foust,  and  Geo. 
C.  Bower,  were  appointed  commissioners  to  repre- 
sent the  church  and  congregation  at  the  next  meet- 
ing of  the  Presbytery. 

Messrs.  B.  D.  Stewart,  Wm.  Sanderson,  Thos. 
Beaver,  Saml.  T.  Bodine,  and  Henry  Davis,  were  ap- 
pointed a  committee  to  wait  upon  Rev.  A.  Rood, 
and  communicate  to  him  the  proceedings  of  this 
meeting. 

From  this  time  Mr.  Rood  was  unable  to  resume 
the  pastoral  work.  As  much  as  lay  in  his  power, 
however,  he  tried  to  work  for  his  Master.  The  peo- 
ple of  this  church  continued  to  hold  him  in  affec- 
tionate remembrance,  and  their  regard  for  him  was 
embodied  in  the  following  preamble  and  resolutions, 
which  are  recorded  in  the  minutes  of  Session  Feb- 
ruary 22d,  1858 : 


TEMPLE   PRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH.  29 

Whereas,  The  Rev.  Anson  Rood  departed  this 
life  ^N'ovember  27th,  1857  ;  and 

Whereas,  from  December  loth,  1837,  to  March 
5th,  1849,  Mr.  Rood  was  the  beloved  pastor  of  the 
Central  Presbyterian  Church,  x^.  L. ;  and 

Whereas,  we  consider  it  alike  the  duty  and  the 
privilege  of  the  Church  of  Christ  to  glorify  G-od  in 
those  who  have  been  faithful  unto  death ;  therefore. 

Resolved.,  That  in  our  deceased  friend  and  pastor 
w*e  recognize  one  who,  with  no  ordinary  zeal  and  self- 
denial,  faithfully  served  his  day  and  generation, 
aiming,  to  the  full  extent  of  his  powers,  alike  by  the 
pulpit  and  the  press,  to  promote  the  welfare  of  the 
cause  of  Christ,  of  his  country,  and  the  world. 

Resolved.,  That  during  the  time  that  he  went  out 
and  in  among  us  as  our  pastor,  there  is  but  one  testi- 
mony to  be  given  by  us  to  his  love  for  souls,  his  zeal 
for  the  honor  of  Christ,  his  sympathy  with  the  desti- 
tute and  the  ignorant,  and  his  steadfast  imitation  of 
the  example  of  Him  who  went  about  doing  good. 
Foremost  in  every  good  word  and  work,  whether  of 
a  local  or  a  general  character,  eminently  sagacious, 
far-seeing  and  public-spirited,  his  meat  and  his  drink 
it  was  to  do  the  will  of  his  Father  in  heaven. 

Resolved.  That  while  we  thus  bear  our  cordial  and 
united  testimony  as  to  his  official  character,  we  also 
remember  him  as  the  honest  and  ujn-ight  man,  the 
warm-hearted  and  sincere  friend.  The  sympathy 
and  respect  already  manifested  for  him  by  hi^i  breth- 
ren in  the  ministry,  we  fully  respond  to  and  recipro- 
cate, as  the  people  of  his  charge. 

During  the  eleven  years  and  three  months  that 
Mr.  Rood  was  pastor  of  this  church,  there  were 
added  to  the  membership  four  hundred  and  thirty 
persons. 


30  HISTORY   OP   THE 

REV*    T.    J.    SHEPHERD,  DECLINES    A    CALL; 

About  three  inonthB  after  the  resignation  of  Mr, 
Rood,  the  people,  believing  that  they  had  heard  a 
sufficient  number  of  candidates  preach  in  their  pulpit, 
united  in  a  request  to  the  Session,  to  call  a  congrega- 
tional meeting,  for  the  purpose,  if  the  way  be  clear, 
of  electing  a  pastor* 

The  Session  acceded  to  this  request,  and  accor- 
dingly a  meeting  of  the  congregation  was  held  June 
8tlC  1849.  At  this  meeting  the  Rev.  T.  J.  Shepherd 
was  elected  pastor*  Mr.  Shepherd  at  that  time 
was  pastor  of  the  Harmony  Presbyterian  Church, 
Lisbon,  Md.,  and  a  member  of  the  Presbytery  of  the 
District  of  Columbia.  At  the  present  time  he  is  the 
pastor  of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church,  N*  L. 

Messrs.  R.  M.  Foust,  E.  D.  Tarr  and  S.  T.  Bodine 
were  appointed  commissioners,  on  the  part  of  the 
congregation,  to  prosecute  the  call  before  the  Presby- 
tery of  the  District  of  Columbia.  This  Commit- 
tee met  the  last-named  Presbytery  in  the  city  of 
Washington,  August  7th,  1849.  They  pressed  the 
claims  of  this  congregation  before  that  body,  when, 
by  a  majority  of  one  in  Presbytery,  the  call  was  put 
into  the  hands  of  Mr.  Shepherd.  He  declined  to 
accept  it,  giving  his  reasons  before  his  co-presbyters. 
These  reasons  he  afterwards  embodied  in  a  letter, 
which  was  read  at  a  meeting  of  this  congregation, 
held  August  31st,  1849.  From  this  letter  we  learn 
that  the  peculiar  necessities  of  the  charge  he  then 
had,  the  interests  which  he  had  excited,  and  which 


^^^h-T^^/ 


^'f?^. 


O^- 


TEMPLE    PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH.  31 

needed  his  further  encouragement;  the  transition 
state  of  .his  church  from  a  missionary  to  a  self-sus- 
taining condition ;  the  divided  sentiment  among  his 
hrethren  in  Presbytery  on  the  subject  of  his  removal, 
together  with  other  reasons,  had  determined  him  in 
his  decision. 

Many  hopes  had  been  cherished  by  this  people  that 
the  acceptance  of  their  call  by  Mr.  Shepherd  would 
greatly  advance  the  interests  of  the  church.  These 
hopes  were  destroyed  for  a  time  by  his  declination. 


V. 

REV.   JAMES    P.  WILSON,  D.D.,  THE    FOURTH    PASTOR.* 

The  congregation  had  now  been  without  a  pastor 
for  ten  months.  I  cannot  better  express  the  state  of 
things  at  that  time  than  by  collating  the  language 
of  others,  as  found  in  the  Minute  Book. 


*  Dr.  Wilson  was  born  in  Philadelphia,  Pa.  He  was  ready  for  college  whem 
he  was  twelve  years  old,  but  did  not  enter  until  he  was  thirteen,  and  graduated 
at  the  University  of  Pennsylvania  when  he  was  sixteen  years  of  age.  'He  en- 
gaged in  teaching,  first  at  Hart.sville,  and  then  at  Lancaster,  Pa.  In  the  spring 
of  1829  he  commenced  his  theological  studies  under  his  father,  Rev.  .Tames  P. 
Wilson,  D.D.,  who  was  said  to  be  one  of  the  best  preachers  in  this  country.. 
He  was  licensed  to  preach  by  the  Philadelphia  Presbytery  October  20th,  1830, 
and  in  1839  was  ordained  and  installed  pastor  of  the  church  in  Neshaminy.  In 
July,  1847,  he  was  elected  President  of  Delaware  College,  Newark,  Del. ;  and  in 
March,  1850,  was  installed  as  the  pastor  of  this  church.  In  the  fall  of  1850  he 
accepted  the  Professorship  of  Systematic  Theology  in  Union  Theological  Semi- 
nary, N.  Y.,  and  in  the  fall  of  1853  resigned  his  Professorship,  and  was  installed 
aa  pastor  of  a  new  church  in  Newark,  N.  J.,  where  he  still  continues. 


32  HISTORY    OF   THK 

"The  congregation  hud  become  discouraged  and 
scattered.  Tlie  church  edifice  needed  not  only  re- 
modeling, 1)iit  repairing  within  and  without." 

"Money,  greatly  needed,  was  not  possessed,  and 
with  difficulty  could  hai'dly  he  obtained." 

"The  members  were  comparatively  few,  and  these, 
by  reason  of  frequent  disap)pointments,  and  the  hope- 
less aspect  of  aftairs,  had  lost  much  of  their  former 
fervor  and  zeaL" 

At  this  juncture  the  congregation  (Jan.  4th,  1850) 
called  Rev.  James  P.  Wilson,  L>.I).,  to  become  their 
pastor.  He  was  at  that  time  President  of  Delaware 
('ollege,  at  Kewark,  Delaware.  Being  a  man  of  com- 
manding talents  and  elevated  piety,  it  was  believed 
that,  under  Grod,  he  would  save  the  church  and  add 
largely  to  its  power. 

The  acceptance  of  the  call  by  Dr.  Wilson  infused 
a  new  life  among  the  people*  They  remodeled  the 
interior  of  the  church  building.  They  had  it  re- 
painted and  re-papered,  and  several  pledged  them- 
selves to  make  up  all  deficiencies.  The  promised 
salary  of  Dr.  Wilson  was  §1,500  per  annum,  but  the 
revenue  from  pews  enabled  the  congregation,  at  an 
adjourned  meeting,  held  February  24th,  1851,  to  vote 
an  increase  to  $2,000. 

E^-erything  was  promising  well,  when  the  congre- 
gation was  unexpectedly  disturbed  with  rumors  that 
their  pastor  was  called  to  a  neighboring  city.  These 
rumors  quickly  were  resolved  into  shape,  for  it  be- 
came known  that  Dr.  Wilson  had  been  elected  to 


TEMPLE   PRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH.  33 

the  chair  of  Theology  in  Union  Theological  Semi- 
nary, 'New  York  City. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  congregation,  held  January 
13th,  1851,  Messrs.  E.  D.  Tarr,  B.  D.  Stewart,  W.  F. 
Smith,  R.  M.  Foust,  S.  T.  Bodine,  C.  Moore,  and 
J.  A.  Spencer,  .were  appointed  a  committee  to  draft 
resolutions  expressive  of  the  views  of  the  congrega- 
tion regarding  this  matter.  These  resolutions  are 
embodied  in  the  report  of  the  commissioners  after- 
wards chosen  to  represent  the  church  in  Presbytery. 

The  Fourth  Presbytery  of  Philadelphia  cited  the 
congregation  to  appear,  by  their  commissioners,  at  a 
meeting  to  be  held  in  the  church,  on  Tuesday,  Feb- 
ruary 18th,  1851,  to  show  cause  why  their  pastor 
should  not  be  translated  to  another  field  of  labor. 

In  accordance  with  this  citation,  the  congregation, 
at  a  meeting  held  February  13th,  1851,  appointed 
Messrs.  H.  H.  Shillingford,  E.  D.  Tarr,  S.  T.  Bodine, 
R.  M.  Foust,  and  Henry  Davis,  commissioners,  with 
instructions  to  oppose,  by  all  suitable  and  Christian 
means,  such  translation. 

The  work  of  these  commissioners  will  be  best 
understood  by  giving  in  full  their  report  as  made  to 
the  congregation,  February  24th,  1851 : 

''  To  the  Members  of  the  Church  and  Congregation  of  the 
Centra^resbyterian  Church  in  the  Northern  Liberties. 
"Brethren: — The  undersigned, commissioners  ap- 
pointed to  represent  this  corporation  in  the  Fourth 
Presbyterv  of  Philadelphia,  at  a  meeting  of  that 

2 


34  HISTrvilY    OF  THE 

body,  held  in  this  place  on  the  18th  inst.,  to  take 
into  consideration  the  application  of  the  Union  Theo- 
logical Seminary  of  New  York,  for  the  services  of 
our  pastor,  who  had  been  elected  to  the  Professorship 
of  Theology  in  that  institution,  report : 

"  That  they  have  attended  to  the  duties  of  their 
appointment,  and  are  now  prepared  to  make  report 
of  their  proceedings  in  detail,  and  surrender  up  to 
this  body  the  powere  thus  delegated  to  them. 

"  It  must  be  perfectly  understood  by  all  that  the 
claims  for  the  services  of  Dr.  J.  P.  Wilson  for  this 
Seminary,  if  admitted,  involved  the  loss  of  our  pastor. 
The  question,  therefore,  was  one  of  the  greatest  inte- 
rest to  this  church,  and  so  the  commissioners  felt 
it.  And  perhaps  it  was  well  that  it  was  so,  for  the 
magnitude  of  the  subject  inspired  their  zeal,  and 
nerved  them  for  the  effort ;  and,  by  the  grace  of  God, 
they  are  happy  to  say  that  their  efforts  have  been , 
blessed  and  crowned  with  success. 

"  The  commissioners  deemed  it  most  advisable  to- 
place  upon  paper  the  views  entertained  by  them,  and, 
as  they  believed,  by  this  congregation,  and  give  a 
consecutive  history  of  the  church  and  its  operations 
from  the  time  of  the  call  of  Dr.  Wilson  to  the  present 
time.  This  they  believed  would  greatly  facilitate 
the  prosecution  of  the  matter  by  the  members  of  the 
Presbytery,  in  the  understanding  of  the  siJjiject,  and 
appreciating  the  opposition  to  the  removal  of  Dr. 
Wilson,  and  such  they  believe  was  the  effect  of  that 
statement. 


TEMPLE   PRESBYTEKIAN   CHURCH.  35 

"Another  object  had  in  view  was,  that  their  ac- 
tion, whether  for  good  or  evil,  could  be  reported  to 
and  reviewed  by  you.  That  paper,  with  all  its  im- 
perfections, was  submitted  to  the  Presbytery  after 
much  prayer,  and  with  great  anxiety  as  to  your 
sentiments  upon  this  important  matter.  It  is  as 
follows : 

2h  the  Members  of  the  Fourth  Presbytery  of  Philadelphia, 

"  Brethren: — The  undersigned  have  been  appointed 
commissioners  to  your  body  from  the  Central  Pres- 
byterian Church,  JN".  L.,  as  will  appear  from  the  ac- 
tion of  the  church  and  congregation,  now  before  you, 
in  obedience  to  a  citation  from  you,  in  regard  to  the 
subject  of  the  dismissal  of  the  Rev.  James  P.  Wilson, 
D.D.,  the  present  pastor  of  said  church.  They  there- 
fore deem  it  expedient  to  present  for  your  considera- 
tion the  following  statement  of  facts  and  views,  so 
that  should  the  Presbytery  decide  in  favor  of  remov- 
ing him  from  his  present  charge,  the  fearful  respon- 
sibility may  rest  with  them,  under  a  full  knowledge 
of  the  facts  in  the  case. 

"  In  January,  1850,  this  church  had  been  without  a 
stated  minister  for  upwards  of  ten  months.  The  con- 
gregation had  become  discouraged  and  scattered. 
The  church  edifice  was  greatly  out  of  repair,  and 
needed  much,  a  modernizing  hand.  To  make  the 
necessary  alterations  and  repairs,  a  considerable 
amount  of  funds  were  required,  and  a  great  rally- 
ing point   made   necessary ;   for   our  finances   were 


36  HISTORY    OF    THE 

exhausted,  our  resources  cut  off,  our  members  compara- 
tively few,  and  of  these  the  love  of  many  waxed 
faint,  and  others  became  entirely  discouraged. 

"  At  this  juncture,  it  was  deemed,  by  those  mem- 
bers of  the  church  whose  faith  took  a  firm  hold  upon 
the  blessed  promises  revealed  in  God's  word,  to  be 
their  duty  to  make  a  united  and  persevering  effort 
to  procure  the  services  of  one  whose  commanding 
talents  and  elevated  piety  would  not  only  secure  this 
church  from  impending  ruin,  but  place  "Constitu- 
tional Presby terianism  "*  in  this  section  of  the  city 
on  a  firm  basis. 

"  Thus  believing,  and  thus  aiming,  under  the  lead 
of  Divine  Providence,  they  made  selection  of  the 
Pev.  J.  P.  Wilson,  D.D.,  and  unanimously  elected  him 
their  pastor.  To  insure  his  services,  it  became  neces- 
sary that  the  church  edifice  should  be  altered  and 
repaired,  involving  a  cost  of  upwards  of  $2,300,  and 
that  provision  should  be  made  for  an  increase  of 
salary  after  the  first  year.  This  was  promptly  done, 
and  a  few  individuals  pledged  themselves  to  the  con- 
gregation that  they  would  see  the  matter  fairly 
through,  and  make  up  any  deficiency  in  the  current 
expenses  of  the  church.  With  this  understanding, 
the  call  was  made  out  and  accepted. 

"  This  understanding  cost  those  who  pledged  them- 
selves for  the  deficiency  the  sum  rising  $2,200,  but 
they  faithfully  kept  their  engagement ;  and  as  the 


*  A  title  desifrnalinp  the  former  "New  School"  branch  of  the  church. 


TEMPLE   PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH.  87 

end  of  the  fiscal  year  approached  they  congratulated 
themselves  upon  the  bright  prospects  which  gilded 
the  future.  They  saw,  with  pleasure  and  deep  grati- 
tude an  increasing  congregation,  a  growing  interest 
on  the  subject  of  our  holy  religion,  and  every  indica- 
tion to  inspire  the  belief  that  the  day  was  not  far 
distant  when  enough  could  be  spared  to  plant  a 
branch  from  this  vine  in  the  adjoining  and  flourish- 
ing district  of  Spring  Grarden,  where  but  one  ^^  Con- 
stitutional" church  now  exists — the  Logan  Square 
Church, 

"  Just  at  this  critical  moment  came  the  call  from 
the  New  York  Theological  Seminary,  for  the  services 
of  Dr*  Wilson,  the  eftiect  of  which,  with  all  the  other 
painful  circumstances,  has  been  to  distract  our  people, 
paralyze  our  efforts,  and  threaten  the  dearest  interests 
of  this  branch  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  this 
section  of  the  city, 

"  We  cannot  but  look  upon  this  call  as  exceedingly 
untimely  and  unfortunate,  when  viewed  in  connec- 
tion with  some  of  the  means  used  in  prosecuting  it. 
After  carefully  weighing  all  the  arguments  and  rea- 
sons presented  by  our  brethren,  the  committee  from 
the  Seminary,  we  cannot  bring  our  minds  to  the  con- 
clusion that  the  call  should  be  responded  to.  We 
have  looked  in  vain  for  the  evidence  to  justify  us  in 
such  a  belief.  On  the  contrary,  all  the  indications  of 
God's  overruling  Providence  in  the  matter  are,  to  our 
own  hearts  and  minds,  conclusive  that  this  is  the  field 
of  labor  to  which  our  beloved  pastor  is  called.     It  is 


38  HISTORY    OP    THE 

true  that  twenty  out  of  thirty  of  the  Trustees  of  the 
Seminary  joined  in  the  call,  and  forwarded  it  through 
a  very  able  and  zealous  committee,*  who,  as  we  think, 
have  pressed  the  claims  of  the  Seminary  with  undue 
ardor.  As  illustrative  of  this  point,  we  state  that 
this  committee  have,  as  they  themselves  say,  visited 
this  city  some  five  different  times  previous  to  this,  to 
press  this  call  upon  our  pastor,  without  the  know- 
ledge of  the  authorities  of  the  church  and  congrega- 
tion ;  in  addition  to  which,  the  following  announce- 
ment appeared  in  the  IN'ew  York  Tribune  on  the  12th 
inst. : 

"  Union  Theological  Seminary. — Rev.  Henry  B. 
Smith  will  be  inaugurated  as  Professor  of  Ecclesias- 
tical History  in  this  institution,  at  the  Mercer  Street 
Church,  this  evening.  Prof.  Smith  will  deliver  an 
address  and  the  charge  will  be  delivered  by  Rev.  Dr. 
Cox.  The  services  will  commence  at  7 J  o'clock. 
Rev.  James  P.  Wilson,  D.D.,  has  signified  to  the 
Fourth  Presbytery  of  Philadelphia,  of  which  he  is  a 
member,  his  conviction  that  it  is  his  duty  to  accept 
the  call  from  the  Seminary  to  be  Professor  of  The- 
ology. On  the  accession  of  Dr.  Wilson  the  Faculty 
will  be  complete.  It  is  expected  that  he  will  enter 
upon  his  new  labors  as  soon  as  he  can  regiilarly  be 
transferred  to  the  institution." 

"  This  announcement  was  followed  by  one  of  a  simi- 
lar, but  more  conclusive  character,  by  Rev.  Samuel 
H.  Cox,  D.D.,  one  of  the  committee,  from  the  pulpit 
of  the  church,  and  at  the  meeting  referred  to  in  the 

*  T)'-5(  Pox  and  Sfefimer. 


TEMPLE    PRESBYTERIAN    CHURCH.  39 

above  notice.     In  the  New  York  Observer  of  the  13th 
inst.  the  following  notice  appeared : 

"Union  Theological  Seminary. — Rev.  James  P, 
Wilson,  D.D.,  has  signified  to  the  Fourth  Presbytery 
of  Philadelphia,  of  which  he  is  a  member,  his  con- 
viction that  it  is  his  duty  to  accept  the  call  from  the 
Union  Theological  Seminary  of  this  city,  to  be  Pro- 
fessor of  Theology  in  that  institution.  It  is  under- 
stood that  neither  the  Presbytery  nor  his  church, 
strongly  attached  as  they  are  to  their  pastor,  intends 
to  make  opposition  to  his  coming.  On  the  accession 
of  Dr.  Wilson,  the  Faculty  will  be  complete.  It  is 
expected  that  he  will  soon  enter  upon  his  new 
labors." 

"  The  efiect  of  these  announcements  on  the  public 
mind  may  be  gathered  from  the  following  editorial 
in  the  North  American^  of  this  city,  on  the  morning 
of  the  13th  inst. : 

"The  Rev.  James  P.  Wilson,  D.D.,  who  has  for 
some  time  past  had  charge  of  a  congregation  in  this 
city,  has  accepted  a  call  to  become  Professor  of  Theo- 
logy in  the  Union  Theological  Seminary  of  l^QW 
York." 

"  It  will  be  borne  in  mind  that  this  editorial  fol- 
lowed the  announcement  made  in  the  Tribune^  and 
at  the  Mercer  Street  Church,  in  the  evening  of  the 
same  day,  and  came  out  in  the  morning  of  the  day 
when  our  congregational  meeting  took  place  in  the 
evenino^.  This  was  so  far  from  a  correct  statement 
of  the  fact,  that  Dr,  Wilson  deemed  it  but  proper 
and  just  to  authorize  the  following  contradiction. 


40  HISTORY   01^  THE 

which  appeared  in  the  North  American^  of  this  city^ 
on  the  14th  inst. : 

"  The  Rev.  James  P.  Wilson,  of  whom  we  yester- 
day announced,  on  the  authority  of  a  New  York 
paper,  that  he  had  accepted  the  Professorship  of 
Theology  in  the  Union  Theological  Seminary  of 
that  city,  informs  us  that  he  has  not  yet  responded 
to  the  invitation." 

"  It  would  scarcely  be  prudent  for  the  commis- 
sioners to  say  that  there  was  any  design  in  the  fore- 
going announcement  to  forestall  public  sentiment,  or 
influence  the  action  of  this  body.  We  simply  state 
the  facts,  and  leave  the  conclusions  to  be  drawn  by 
the  Presbytery. 

"  The  recent  settlement  of  Dr.  Wilson  among  us, 
under  the  circumstances  named  ;  the  great  necessity 
for  his  valuable  labors  in  this  section ;  the  wide 
field  of  usefulness  here  opened,  and  the  great  jeopardy 
in  which  it  would  place  the  interests  of  our  congre- 
gation and  Constitutional  Presbyterianism,  as  before 
remarked,  would,  to  our  minds,  indicate  anything 
but  reasons  in  favor  of  his  removal  at  this  time. 

"  In  this  connection,  it  seems  but  proper  to  state 
that  the  location  of  our  church,  occupying  as  it  does 
a  central  position  in  what  may  be  deemed  the  city  of 
Philadelphia,  and  in  the  midst  of  a  population  of  one 
hundred  thousand,  and  where  our  connection  has  but 
two  congregations,  is  a  matter  not  to  be  overlooked 
in  the  decision  of  this  question.  Dr.  Wilson  and  his 
congregation  are  happy  in  the  connection,  and  neither 


TEMPLE   PRESBYTEEIAN  CHURCH,  41 

of  them  urge,  or  in  fact  ask  its  severance,  except  the 
former,  as  a  matter  of  form,  to  secure  the  opinion 
and  counsel  of  this  Presbytery.  This  is  seen  by  the 
action  of  the  congregation  at  their  regular  annual 
meeting,  January  13th,  which  we  here  annex,  and 
the  statement  of  the  views  of  Dr.  Wilson,  as  made  at 
the  congregational  meeting  on  the  13th  inst.,  which 
is  also  annexed : 

RESOLUTIONS    OP   THE    CONGREGATION. 

Hesolved,  1st.  That  this  people  have  heard,  with 
unfeigned  regret,  of  the  efforts  which  are  being  made 
in  a  sister  city  to  take  from  us  our  beloved  pastor, 
and  to  transfer  his  valuable  labors  from  this  to  a  dis- 
tant field. 

Hesolved,  2d.  That,  in  our  opinion,  such  change 
seems  fraught  with  danger  to  the  best  interests  of 
this  church  and  the  cause  of  Constitutional  Presby- 
terian ism  in  this  community,  it  being  well  known 
and  understood  that  this  portion  of  the  vineyard  was 
the  ground  on  which  was  fought  the  battle  for  the 
supremacy  of  the  principles  we  so  dearly  love  and 
cherish. 

Resolved^  3d.  That  the  eminent  abilities  and  en- 
dearing manners  of  our  pastor,  Rev.  James  P.  Wil- 
son, D.D.,  have  engaged  our  esteem  and  love,  and 
ensured  his  future  usefulness  amongst  us  and  our 
children.  That  his  present  field  of  labor  is  extensive 
and  increasing,  involving  the  interests  of  a  wide- 
spread and  growing  neighborhood,  in  which  we 
earnestly  believe  the  influence' of  this  church  is  des- 
tined to  operate  favorably  in  the  highest  degree. 

Resolved^  4th.  That,  in  view  of  all  the  circum- 
stances, the  attachment  of  this  people  to  their  pastor. 


42  HISTORY   OP   THB 

the  prospective  ultimate  good  whicli  may  reasonably 
be  anticipated  from  his  labors  amongst  us  ;  the  cer- 
tain injury  which  will  accrue  to  the  interests  of  this 
church  and  congregation  if  he  leave  us— all  induce 
an  earnest  expression  of  the  hope  that  he  will  (God 
giving  him  wisdom  so  as  best  to  decide)  consent  to 
remain  with  us,  and  allow  our  present  pastoral  rela- 
tions to  remain  undisturbed. 

Resolved^  5th.  That  a  copy  of  these  resolutions  be 
sent  to  our  pastor,  signed  by  the  President  and  Sec- 
retary of  the  meeting. 

STATEMENT  OF  DR.  WILSON's  VIEWS,  AT  THE  CONGREGA- 
TIONAL MEETING  ON  THE  13tH   INST.  : 

"  The  paper  which  I  gave  to  the  i»J"ew  York  com- 
mittee expressed  my  views  entirely,  and  I  still  adhere 
to  the  views  therein  expressed.  Still  I  consider  the 
question  entirely  open  for  the  decision  of  the  Presby- 
tery, to  whom  I  refer  the  whole  subject ;  and  if  they 
shall  decide  against  my  going,  I  will  cheerfully  submit 
to  their  decision,  and  shall,  in  submitting  to  their  judg- 
ment, conclude  that  my  views  of  duty  in  this  respect 
were  not  well  founded,  and  shall  expect  to  feel  per- 
fectly happy  in  staying  where  I  now  am,  and  experi- 
ence no  longing  desire  to  go  to  Kew  York.  I  have 
no  private  reasons  to  influence  me  in  my  views  of 
duty.  My  present  relation  is  all  that  I  could  desire. 
My  people  are  kind  and  united,  and  if  I  studied  my 
own  ease  and  personal  comfort  alone,  I  should  decide 
to  stay ;  as  I  believe  the  duties  of  the  station  to 
which  I  am  called  would  be  far  more  laborious,  and 
I  would  necessarily  have  less  sympathy  in  their  dis- 
charge than  in  my  present  situation.  This  I  should 
feel,  as  I  have  been  accustomed  to  have  the  sympathy 
of  a  con  erresra  1 1  on. 


TEMPLE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH.         43 

"  I  wish  it  to  be  distinctly  understood  that  I  have 
not  decided  to  go.  And  if  any  one  has  made  such 
an  assertion,  he  has  done  it  without  ray  authority, 
and  upon  his  own  responsibility,  ^or  have  I  decided 
to  stay.  And  if  any  one  has  so  asserted,  it  was  un- 
authorized by  me.  I  shall  be  governed  by  the  action 
of  Presbytery,  and  surrender  my  views  of  duty  to 
their  judgment. 

"  Should  the  Presbytery  refuse  to  decide  the  ques- 
tion, or  throw  it  back  for  my  decision,  I  shall  conceive 
it  my  duty  to  go.  Should  they  decide  in  favor  of  my 
dismissal,  I  shall  go ;  but  should  they  decide  against 
my  dismissal,  I  shall  not  go,  and  shall,  as  I  said  before, 
be  perfectly  cheerful  and  happy  in  an  acquiescence 
in  their  decision." 

"  It  is  due  to  Dr.  Wilson,  and  proper  to  state,  that 
the  above  views  were  given  orally  at  the  meeting, 
and  written  out  by  the  commissioners,  as  they  recol- 
lected and  understood  them,  and  are  believed  to  be 
substantially  correct. 

"  The  following  is  the  paper  which  was  in  the  hands 
of  and  read  by  Dr.  Wilson  himself,  at  the  former 
meeting  of  this  body,  in  this  place,  and  referred  to  by 
him  in  his  statement  to  the  congregation  on  the  13th 
inst. : 

"  This  call  has  been  before  my  mind  for  several 
weeks.  I  have  considered  it  in  extenso,  on  all  sides,  and 
religiously,  with  a  sincere  desire,  as  far  as  I  know 
myself,  to  ascertain  and  do  the  will  of  God.  My 
present  impressions  are,  on  the  whole,  favorable  to 
the  idea  that  it  is  my  duty  to  accept  it ;  and  unless 
some  moral  obstacle  shall  arise,  not  now  anticipated, 


44  HISTORY   01^  THE 

either  from  the  Presbytery  or  from  my  congregation^ 
both  of  whom  I  kindly  and  deeply  consider  in  the 
question,  I  shall  probably  see  it  my  duty  to  respond 
to  said  call  an  answer  in  the  affirmative.  And  un- 
less Presbytery  interpose  some  obstacle  of  the  above 
sort,  it  now  seems  my  duty  so  to  respond  to  it." 

"  It  will  be  seen  by  the  statement  of  Dr.  Wilson^s 
views,  that  the  question  is  entirely  open  for  the  ac- 
tion of  Presbytery,  and  they  must  meet  it.  A  refusal 
on  their  part  to  act,  is  a  virtual  decision  in  favor  of 
his  dismissal,  as  in  that  case  he  expressly  says  he 
shall  conceive  it  his  duty  to  go.  But  if  they  decide 
it  not  to  be  his  duty  to  accept  the  invitation,  he  will 
cheerfully  acquiesce  in  their  opinion  and  remain.  So 
the  question  must  be  fairly  met  by  this  body,  and  we 
trust  it  will  be  so  met,  and  promptly  decided. 

"  We  have  now  made  a  plain  and  unvarnished 
statement  of  facts,  and  if  the  Presbytery  can,  under 
all  the  circumstances  of  the  case,  sever  a  connection 
so  happy  in  all  points  of  view,  but  so  fraught  with 
evil  if  broken  up,  theirs  must  be  the  responsibility ; 
and  we  shall  have  the  abiding  consolation,  in  all 
after  time,  in  the  review,  that  we  did  what  we 
could  to  avert  the  direful  consequences  should  they 
follow. 

H.  H.  Shillingford,  ^ 

Elihu  D.  Tarr, 

Robert  M.  Foust,     j.   Commissioners* 

Samuel  T.  Bodine,     I 

Henry  Davis, 

February  15,  1851. 


TEMPLE   PRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH.  45 

The  Presbytery  having  heard  all  the  parties  in  the 
case,  refused  to  dismiss  Dr.  Wilson.  This  action 
gave  very  great  and  general  satisfaction  to  the 
church. 

A  few  weeks  after  this,  Dr.  Wilson  addressed  a 
letter  to  the  Session  and  Board  of  Trustees  of  the 
church,  expressing  his  conviction  that  he  ought  to 
accept  the  call  to  '^ew  York. 

A  congregational  meeting  was  called  on  April  Ist, 
1851,  when  the  letter  was  read,  and  is  as  follows: 

Philadelphia,  March  12^  1851, 

Dear  Brethren  : — I  received  a  communication  on 
the  first  of  this  month,  informing  me  of  the  formal 
reiterations  of  the  call  of  the  Directors  of  the  ^ew 
York  Theological  Seminary,  which  was  issued  by 
the  Fourth  Presbytery  at  their  meeting  on  the  18th 
ult. 

This  second  urgent  invitation,  so  soon  after  the 
rejection  of  the  first,  and  with  equal  unanimity, 
seems  to  leave  me  no  longer  any  alternative  but  to 
accept  at  once,  and  ask  you  to  unite  with  me  in  a 
request  to  the  congregation  for  their  consent  to  a  dis- 
solution of  the  pastoral  relation. 

My  convictions  of  duty  from  the  first  have  been 
plain  and  clear.  The  only  difilculty  in  the  way  has 
been  the  probable  injury  of  the  congregation,  and 
considerations  of  their  welfare,  and  the  general  in- 
terests of  religion,  and  of  the  church  in  this  com- 
munity. 

Impressed,  and  almost  overwhelmed,  with  these 
considerations,  and  deeply  afltected  with  the  constant 
manifestations  of  the  kindness  and  afi*ectionate  attach- 
ment of  the  people  of  my  charge,  I  long  hesitated 


46  HISTORY   OF   THE 

and  strove  against  my  convictions,  and  felt  that  I 
could  not  maKe  up  my  mind  to  break  away  and  sun- 
der a  tie  so  recently  formed. 

I  wished  to  consult  the  feelings  of  my  brethren  in 
the  Presbytery,  and  felt  willing  to  submit  my  con- 
victions to  their  united  judgment,  and  let  the  matter 
rest  ultimately  on  their  decision.  A  meeting  of 
the  Presbytery  was  accordingly  held,  and  a  result 
obtained.  I  cheerfully  acquiesced  in  this  issue,  al- 
though, from  the  whole  discussion  before  the  Pres- 
bytery, my  previous  convictions  were  only  deepened 
as  to  the  path  which  Providence  seemed  clearly  to 
point  out.  I  felt,  however,  entirely  satisfied,  and 
sincerely  hoped  that  the  protracted  difficulty  was  at 
an  end. 

But  the  call  is  now  repeated  with  increased  ear- 
nestness, and  comes  to  me  with  the  power  and  claim 
of  a  direct  summons  from  the  Head  of  the  Church, 
and  I  know  not  how  to  resist  it  any  longer.  I  now 
feel  that  I  must  go,  and  I  ask  you  to  resist  no  more, 
but  cheerfully,  and  with  faith  in  God,  resign  your 
opposition,  and  unite  with  me  in  acting  according  to 
my  clear  convictions  of  duty. 

I  am  truly  thankful  that,  from  the  nature  and  cir- 
circumstances  of  the  post  which  I  am  solicited  to 
accept,  there  is  no  possibility  of  any  motive  inter- 
fering to  lead  my  mind  to  an  improper  decision. 

Were  I  to  consult  my  interest,  both  in  regard  to 
pecuniary  matters,  or  personal  ease  and  comfort,  I 
should  remain  where  I  am.  There  is  no  temptation, 
therefore,  for  me  to  deceive  myself,  or  impose  on  my' 
own  judgment  in  coming  to  a  right  decision. 

If  I  know  myself,  in  this  whole  transaction,  my 
single  and  only  aim  has  been  to  do  my  duty  to  God, 
and  to  obey  my  conscience.  I  must  ask  you,  then, 
to  let  me  (ro. 


TEMPLE   PRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH.  47 

I  repeat,  what  I  have  always  said,  and  must  ever 
say,  that  no  one  could  be  more  pleasantly  situated 
in  any  field  of  labor,  or  meet  with  more  facilities  and 
encouragements,  and  warm-hearted  co-operation,  in 
the  performance  of  his  work,  amongst  any  people, 
than  I  have  experienced  amongst  you.  Your  kind- 
ness and  afiection  has  been  constant,  and  far  better 
than  I  have  deserved ;  and  nothing  less  than  a  con- 
viction of  responsibility,  that  I  cannot  resist  or  evade, 
compels  me  to  come  before  you  and  ask  your  acqui- 
escence in  my  request  for  a  dissolution  of  the  pastoral 
relation. 

May  God  guide  and  direct  your  judgment,  and 
give  you  faith  to  acquiesce  in  what  seems  to  be  evi- 
dent indications  of  his  will. 

(Signed)        James  P.  Wilson,  Pastor, 

After  the  reading  of  this  letter,  the  congregation 
adopted  the  following  preamble  and  resolutions : 

Whereas,  a  communication  has  been  pi^esented  by 
the  Session,  from  our  pastor,  Rev.  J.  P.  Wilson,  D.D., 
in  which  he  states  that  the  call  from  Kew  York 
Theological  Seminary  has  been  renewed,  and  is  pressed 
with  renewed  zeal,  and  that  he  feels  it  to  be  his  duty, 
and  it  is  his  intention,  to  accept  the  call,  and  asks  us 
to  unite  with  him  in  the  application  to  Presbytery, 
for  a  dissolution  of  the  present  relations ;  therefore. 

Resolved^  1st.  That  we  have  looked  in  vain  for  any 
new  light  upon  this  subject,  calculated  to  change  the 
views  we  held,  and  presented  to  Presbytery  at  a 
former  meeting.  We  think  the  case  stands  now 
precisely  as  it  stood  then  ;  for,  if  we  are  correctly  in- 
formed, there  has  not  even  been  a  new  election  by 
the  Trustees  of  the  Seminary  ;  and  we  must  be  per- 
mitted to  say.  \\m{\  we  feel  no  little  surprise  and  sor- 


48  HISTORY   OF   THE 

row  that  this  question  should  be  so  soon  again 
agitated ;  for  we  feel  that  the  action  of  Presbytery, 
already  had  upon  this  subject,  was  to  be  considered  a 
final  settlement  of  the  question.  And  so  believing, 
this  congregation  have  laid  their  plans  accordingly, 
and  with  the  intention  of  promoting  both  the  useful- 
ness and  comfort  of  our  pastor. 

Hesolved,  2d.  That  as  we  have  never  desired  a 
separation,  we  cannot,  therefore,  unite  with  our  pas- 
tor in  an  application  to  Presbytery  for  a  dissolution 
of  the  pastoral  relation  now  existing. 

Resolved^  3d.  That  as  Dr.  Wilson  has  made  up  his 
mind  to  insist  upon  a  dissolution  of  his  pastoral  rela- 
tions with  this  church,  we  deem  it  inexpedient  to 
oppose  his  wishes. 

Resolved^  4th.  That  the  elder  who  may  represent 
this  church  in  meeting  of  Presbytery,  be  requested  to 
present  the  foregoing  resolutions  and  statement  to 
Presbyter}^. 

The  application  of  Dr.  Wilson  for  a  dissolution  of 
his  pastoral  relation  to  this  church,  was  renewed  at 
the  spring  meeting  of  Presbytery,  held  April  8th, 
1851,  when  it  was  granted.  The  pulpit  was  declared 
vacant  May  18th,  1851. 

During  the  pastorate  of  Dr.  Wilson,  there  were 
added  to  this  church  forty  persons. 


^/^       ^:^7^/±j^^ 


I'EMPLE   PRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH,  49 

VL 

REV.   GEORaE   DUFPIELD,   JR*,   THE   FIFTH    PASTOR.* 

The  church  being  again  without  a  pastor,  began 
earnestly  to  look  about  for  one  who,  it  was  thought, 
would  not  only  excite  confidence  in  the  present  mem- 
bership, but  add  largely  to  its  numbers  and  efiiciency. 
Mr.  Isaac  Ashmead,  one  of  the  elders,  suggested  that, 
according  to  what  he  had  learned,  Rev.  George  Duf- 
field,  Jr.,  was  such  a  person  as  the  church  needed. 

Accordingly,  Messrs.  Ashmead,  B.  D.  Stewart  and 
Wm,  Sanderson,  visited  Bloomfield,  N.  J.,  where 
Mr,  Duffield  was  then  stationed  as  a  pastor.  This  com- 
mittee remained  over  the  Sabbath  at  that  place,  and 
attended  the  church  where  Mr.  DufReld  was  officia- 
ting. On  their  return  they  gave  such  an  account  of 
Mr.  Duffield,  as  led  the  Session  of  the  church  to 
extend  an  invitation  to  him  to  come  and  occupy 
their  pulpit  for  a  Sabbath,  and  administer  the  com- 
munion. This  invitation  was  extended  through  Rev. 
Dr.  Malin.  At  the  same  time,  Mr.  J.  A.  Spencer,  on 
behalf  of  the  congregation  wrote,  inquiring  of  Mr. 


*  Rev.  (Jeorge  Duffield,  Jr  ,  was  born  in  Carlisle,  Pa.  He  graduated  at  Yale 
College  in  1837,  when  he  entered  Union  Theological  Seminary,  N.  Y.,  where  he 
graduated  in  the  year  1840.  His  licensure  and  ordination  took  place  about  the 
same  time  He  became  pastor  of  a  new  church  in  Brooklyn,  L.  I.,  where  he 
rt  inained  abowt  seven  years,  when  he  went  to  Bloomfiuld,  N.  J.,  where  he  con- 
tinued until  cn'led  to  this  church  Since  leaving  here  he  has  been  pastor  of  the 
churches  at  Adrian, Mich.,  Galeeburg,  111.,  and  Saginaw  City,  Mich.  The  lalte  - 
charge  he  has  been  compelled  to  resign,  owing  to  sickness. 


50  HISTORY   OF   THE 

Duffield  if  he  would  entertain  a  call  from  this  churcli. 
In  reply,  Dr.  Mai  in  received  the  following  letter: 

Mooinfield,  Nov.  ^th,  1851, 

My  Dear  Brother: — Yours  of  the  31st  ult., 
containing  a  request  of  the  elders  of  the  Central 
Presbyterian  Church,  K.  L.,  to  visit  them  next  Sab- 
bath and  administer  the  communion,  came  duly  to 
hand,  and  would  have  been  answered  before  but  for 
a  distressing  accident  that  has  confined  me  constantly 
to  the  bed-side  of  my  little  son  *  *  «-  In  such 
circumstances  you  will  readily  perceive  that  I  cannot 
be  with  the  church  next  Sabbath.  For  this  they  are 
probably  prepared  by  a  letter,  which  I  wrote  to  Mr. 
J.  A.  Spencer  last  week. 

The  fact,  my  dear  brother,  is  simply  this :  From 
the  first  time  this  subject  was  fairly  presented  to 
my  mind,  I  have  endeavored  carefully  to  watch  the 
indication  of  God's  providence  in  reference  to  it. 
God,  I  trust,  has  given  me  many  seals  of  my  ministry 
here,  and  certainly  the  field  is  a  very  important 
one.  I  have  no  reason  to  leave,  no  desire  to  leave, 
unless  I  can  do  so  for  one  still  larger  and  more  impor- 
tant. I  do  not  want  to  put  myself  in  any  place. 
AVherever  the  Great  Head  of  the  Church  puts  me,  I 
trust  I  am  willing  to  live,  and  I  hope  willing  to  die 
also. 

Meanwhile,  that  my  relations  here  may  not  be 
unpleasantly  affected,  I  have  determined  to  act  with 
the  full  undei^tanding  and  advice  of  the  members 
of  my  Session.  If  I  should  receive  a  call,  they  are 
willino;  that  I  should  consider  it ;  willing  that  I 
should  go  to  Philadelphia  and  preach  there ;  willing 
even  that  I  should  go,  if  the  path  of  duty  is  made 
plain  before  ti\<\     But,  thoy  are  not  willing  I  should 


TDEMPLE   PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH.  51 

invite  a  call,  or  in  any  way  compromise  myself  before- 
hand.   With  kind  regards,  &c., 

(Signed)    Gteorge  Duffield,  Jr. 

Extract  of  a  letter  to  Mr,  J.  A.  Spencer, 

Bloomfield,  N,  J".,  Oct,  ^9th.,  185L 
As  to  the  subject  of  your  letter,  I  can  only  say,  that 
the  principle  on  which  I  wish  to  act,  is,  to  judge  of 
nothing  before  the  time,  "  He  that  judgeth  a 
matt-er  before  he  heareth  it,"  you  know,  "  it  shall  be 
a  shame  unto  him,"  I  have  no  will,  or  wish  in  the 
premises,  but  simply  to  know  my  duty.  If  you  should 
extend  a  call  to  me,  and  after  spending  a  Sabbath 
with  you,  the  congregation  should  be  inclined  unani- 
mously to  ratify  it,  I  should  feel  it  necessary  to  give 
the  subject  a  very  solemn,  candid,  and  prayerful 
consideration. 

Further  than  this,  I  have  nothing  to  say  at  pre- 
sent ;  and  this  I  am  willing  all  should  know,  who 
are  in  any  way  interested  in  the  matter. 

(Signed)    Geo.  Duffield,  Jr. 

These -eommunicat ions  from  Mr,  Duffield,  were  read 
at  a  meeting  of  the  congregation,  held  ISoy.  12th, 
1851  ;  whereupon,  the  people  recommended  the  Ses- 
sion to  call  a  congregational  meeting,  on  Monday  eve- 
ning, Xov,  17th,  for  the  election  of  a  pastor.  This 
meeting  was  duly  called,  and  with  entire  unanim- 
ity. Rev.  Geo.  Duffield,  Jr.,  was  elected  pastor,  and 
Messrs.  S.  T,  Bodine,  R.  M.  Foust  and  J.  A  Spencer, 
were  appointed  commissioners  to  prosecute  the  call. 

After  the  call  had  been  presented,  Mr.  Duffield 
visited   this  church,   and   preached    for   the  people. 


52  HISTORY    OP   THE 

Again  the  congregation  was  called  together,  and  on 
Dec.  10th,  1851, 

Besolved^  That  having  had  an  opportunity  to  see 
and  here  Rev.  Geo.  Duffield,  Jr.,  do  hereby  ratify 
and  confirm  their  action  of  a  former  meeting,  extend- 
ing a  call  to  him  to  become  their  pastor. 

Mr.  Duffield  formally  signified  his  acceptance  of 
the  call,  Dec.  14th,  1851.  Shortly  after  this,  the 
pastor  elect  began  his  labors  amongst  the  people,  but 
was  not  regularly  installed  until  May  13th,  1852. 

The  pastor's  salary  in  the  call  was  fixed  at  $1500 
per  annum  ;  the  pews  at  that  time  yielding  an  annual 
revenue  of  $2200. 

The  church  received  their  new  pastor  gladly  ;  and 
the  records  show  that  with  much  cordiality  and 
mutual  zeal,  pastor  and  people  joined  hands  in  the 
work  of  the  church. 

The  people  had  felt  the  unexpected  removal  of  Dr. 
Wilson  from  among  them.     Many  had  become  dis- 
heartened and  left ;  but  yet,  there  was  at  the  time  of 
Mr.  Dufiield's  installation,  a  good  congregation,  and 
many  hopeful  indications  for  the  future. 

An  early  effort  was  put  forth  to  liquidate  the 
entire  debt  of  the  church.  Appeals  were  made  to 
the  people,  and  contributions  solicited  ;  these,  how- 
ever, terminated  quite  short  of  success. 

The  tide  of  population  which  had  before  this  com- 
menced, continued  to  move  westward.  This  affected 
very  materially  the  pew  rentals,  and  compelled  the 
trustees  to  adopt  other  means  to  increase  the  revenue 


TEMPLE    PRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH.  53 

of  the  church.      JS'eeded  alterations  in  the  church 
property  were  paid  for  hy  voluntary  subscription. 
All  expenses  where  it  was  possible  were  cut  down. 

The  foreclosure  of  a  mortgage  of  $6000,  held  by 
an  outside  party,  was  threatened ;  but  this  was  pre- 
vented by  persons  inside  of  the  church  purchasing 
it.  The  constant  removal  of  members  to  other  parts 
of  the  city,  and  their  connecting  themselves  with 
other  churches  nearer  their  new  homes,  was  the 
occasion  of  much  discouragement. 

It  became  the  conviction  of  many,  that  the  church 
could  no  longer  exist  in  the  neighborhood.  An 
impression  obtained  in  the  community  that  the  con- 
gregation was  ready  to  sell  the  property.  A  com- 
munication was  received  Jan.  10th,  1853,  from  the 
Board  of  Trustees  of  the  Union  Presbyterian  Church 
in  the  Northern  Liberties,  stating  they  had  understood 
the  church  was  for  sale,  and  asking  the  terms  and 
time  of  sale.  (This  Union  Presbyterian  Church 
was  organized  in  October,  1852,  under  the  pastoral 
care  of  Eev.  Mr.  Durnett.  Those  constituting  it 
were  a  colony  from  the  First  Presbyterian  Church, 
IST.  L.  The  congregation  worshiped  for  a  time  in 
the  Old  Lecture  Room  in  Coates  street,  above  Second  ; 
afterwards  in  a  hall  at  the  S.  E.  corner  of  ISTinth  and 
Spring  Garden  streets.  Kot  making  the  progress 
hoped  for,  the  church  was  soon  disbanded.) 

Although  the  congregation  voted  that  the  pro- 
perty was  not  for  sale,  yet  the  communication  shows 
the  opinion  which  was  current  in  the  community. 


54  HISTORY   OF   THE 

From  this  time,  as  the  records  show,  the  subject 
of  removal  became  a  topic  for  frequent  discussion  in 
the  meetings  of  Session,  in  the  meetings  of  the  Board 
of  Trustees,  and  in  the  meetings  of  the  congregation. 
At  several  of  these  meetings  we  find  the  subject 
introduced,  as  a  matter  for  general  conversation ;  at 
others,  it  is  presented  in  what  were  demominated 
"  test  resolutions." 

At  a  special  meeting  of  the  congregation,  held 
June  18th,  1855,  the  subject  was  brought  directly 
before  the  people  by  the  following  resolution : 

Besolved.  That  we  deem  it  expedient  to  sell  this 
church,  with  a  view  of  removing  to  another  location. 

Pending  this  question,  a  statement  was  made  by 
a  committee,  appointed  at  a  joint  meeting  of  the 
Session  and  the  Trustees  ;  accomj)anying  this,  was  the 
following  written  statement  from  the  pastor : 

"  Since  the  announcement  ot  this  meeting  last 
Sabbath,  it  has  occurred  to  me,  that  as  a  statement 
was  about  to  be  presented  by  the  Session  and  Trus- 
tees to  the  congregation,  it  might  be  equally  appro- 
priate on  my  part  to  make  a  similar  statement,  should 
it  be  called  for,  as  your  pastor,  By  all  whom  it 
may  concern,  either  now  or  hereafter,  I  would  wish 
it  distinctly  to  be  understood : 

1st.  That  my  relations  to  the  Trustees  and  Session 
of  the  church,  up  to  the  present  time,  have  been 
uniformly  cordial  and  satisfactory. 

2d.  That  the  inception  of  this  movement  did  not 
originate  with  me,  but  with  the  Trustees  and  Session. 


TEMPLE    PRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH.  65 

3d.  That  it  did  not  originate  indirectly  with  me, 
by  the  pressure  of  any  pecuniary  claims. 

4th.  That  according  to  the  hest  judgement  I  am 
able  to  form  in  the  premises,  the  circumstances  of 
the  case  are  such  as  to  warrant  the  step  that  has 
been  taken  in  laying  them  before  the  congregation. 

And  now  that  the  church  itself,  alike  in  its  officers 
and  members,  may  be  relieved  as  far  as  possible  from 
any  embarrassment  in  the  matter,  I  beg  leave  to 
notice, 

1st.  Some  of  the  more  obvious  contingencies  that 
may  arise. 

2d.  The  relations  I  am  willing  to  sustain  to  each 
of  these  as  an  individual. 

The  possible  contingencies  are  mainly  three. 

Ist.  To  change  the  location  of  the  church  in  such 
a  manner,  as  to  preserve  the  existing  congregation 
still  unbroken,  and  so  draw  in  new  strength  without 
diminishing  the  old. 

2d.  Amicably  to  divide,  and  allow  each  portion  of 
the  church  as  thus  divided,  to  take  such  a  course  as 
they  think  proper. 

3d.  In  case  these  arrangements  should  fail,  to  re- 
main where  we  are. 

The  relations  which  I  am  willing  to  sustain  to 
these  several  plans  are  as  follows : 

Ist.  Hereby  to  tender  my  resignation  at  the  out- 
set, if  by  so  doing  the  ultimate  establishment  of  the 
church  can  be  secured. 

2d.  To  subscribe  to  the  full  amount  of  my  ability 
for  the  erection  of  another  edifice. 

3d.  Provided  a  sufficient  sum  can  first  be  secured 
to  warrant  such  an  eftbrt,  to  do  all  that  I  can  to  ob- 
tain any  further  assistance  that  may  be  needed  from 
the  church  at  large. 

4th.  In  all  other  respects  I  shall  be  mainly  guided. 


56  HISTORY    OF   THE 

I  trust,  by  that  which  will  best  promote  the  tempo- 
ral and  spiritual  welfare  of  a  church  which  has 
already  done  much  for  the  cause  of  Christ  in  this 
part  of  the  city,  and  which,  I  sincerely  hope,  is  des- 
tined yet  to  do  a  great  deal  more. 

Heavily  as  the  burden  has  pressed  upon  many  of 
you,  you  have  been  abundantly  rewarded  for  it,  both 
in  your  own  souls  and  in  your  families. 

If  you  have  sowed  temporal  things,  you  have 
reaped  spiritual,  and  your  labor  has  not  been  in  vain 
in  the  Lord. 

Believing  that  you  will  fully  appreciate  the  mo- 
tives that  have  prompted  me  to  this  communication, 
I  remain,  with  sincere  and  unabated  affection, 

(Signed)     Geo.  Duffield,  Jr.,  Pastor. 

After  hearing  the  views  of  the  pastor,  the  Session, 
and  the  Trustees,  the  congregation  appointed  from 
among  their  own  number  (other  than  members  of  the 
Session  or  Board  of  Trustees)  seven  persons  as  a  com- 
mittee to  take  the  subject  into  consideration,  and 
report  at  a  subsequent  meeting. 

On  the  25th  of  June,  1855,  this  committee  made 
their  report.  After  enumerating  all  the  difficulties 
in  the  way  of  remaining  in  their  present  location,  or 
removing  to  another,  they  close  their  report  with  the 
following : 

Resolved^  That  no  corporation,  church  or  business 
enterprise  can  succeed  whose  expenses  excel  its  in- 
come. 

Resolved^  That  we  deem  it  expedient  to  dispose  of 
this  church  property  to  some  evangelical  denomina- 
tion, with  a  view  to  remove  to  another  location. 


TEMPLE   PRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH.  57 

^  After  considerable  discussion  on  the  second  resolu- 
tion, the  whole  matter  was  laid  over  to  an  adjourned 
meeting,  held  July  9th,  1855,  when  the  resolution 
was  further  discussed,  amended,  and  passed  in  the 
simple  form  in  which,  on  June  18th,  Mr.  Henry 
Davis  had  presented  it,  namely: 

Resolved,  That  we  deem  it  expedient  to  sell  this 
church,  in  view  of  removing  to  another  location. 

Although  the  congregation  did  not  commit  them- 
selves, by  resolution,  to  any  specified  locality,  it  may 
be  interesting  to  know  that  the  sentiment  expressed 
and  recorded  at   that   time  was   that  the  location 
should  be  between  Sixth  and  Eighth,  and  Green  and 
Poplar  streets.     Believing  that  these  streets  would 
mark  the  boundaries,  and  anticipating  some  future 
action  of  the  congregation,  Mr.  B.  D.  Stewart,  one  of 
the  elders  of  the  church  (some  time  prior  to  the 
occurrences  of  which  we  now  speak),  secured  the 
control  of  a  lot  on  the  east  side  of  Seventh  street, 
and  north  of  Brown  street,  the  one  now  occupied  by 
the  Second  Reformed  Church.     This  control  he  held 
for  more  than  two  years,  but  seeing  no  active  steps 
taken  for  removal,  and  being  unsupported  by  others 
in  the  congregation,  he  allowed  it  to  pass  into  the 
hands  of  those  who  now  hold  it. 

The  passage  of  the  resolution  to  sell  and  remove, 
if  it  did  no  more  at  the  time,  kept  the  matter  from 
further  agitation  in  the  church  ;  for  we  look  in  vain 
through  the  records  of  years  to  find  even  a  reference 
to  the  subject. 


r 


68 


HISTORY    OF    THE 


This  was  not  because  of  any  increase  in  the  pros- 
perity of  the  church,  for,  numerically  and  financially, 
it  appears  from  the  several  reports  made  to  the  con- 
gregation, it  was  year  after  year  growing  weaker. 
To  keep  it  in  existence,  we  find  various  means 
adopted.  Sinking  funds  were  created.  The  people 
were  called  upon,  time  and  again,  for  extra  contribu- 
tions. The  ladies  undertook  to  make  good  the  pas- 
tor's salary.  With  all  these  efforts,  the  deficiencies 
became  alarming.  We  find  in  the  report  given  at  a 
meeting  held  November  19th,  1860,  that  the  annual 
receipts  amounted  to  but  $1,200,  while  the  annual 
indebtedness  was  $2,400. 

The  pastor  sympathized  fully  with  the  people  in 
their  embarrassments,  and  acceded  to  their  desires, 
by  accepting  a  salary  of  $1,000  per  annum. 

All  these  efforts,  however,  were  too  feeble  to  resist 
the  logic  of  circumstances.  People  possessed  with 
means  were  continually  removing  to  the  northern 
and  western  sections  of  the  city. 

Dismissions  and  commendations  to  other  churches 
were  constantly  being  asked  for,  and  given  to  the 
members.  The  impression  gained  ground  that  the 
days  of  the  church  were  numbered.  In  the  Presby- 
tery, in  the  church,  and  in  the  community,  its 
existence  much  longer  was  despaired  of.  Some  there 
were  who  proposed  to  disband ;  but  at  a  meeting  of 
the  congregation,  held  November  12th,  1860,  more 
from  a  desire  to  continue  than  an  assurance  that  con- 
tinuance was  possible,  it  was 


TEMPLE   PRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH.  59 

Resolved^  That  this  congregation  disclaim  all  inten- 
tion of  disbanding  as  a  church. 

With  a  will  the  remnant  of  this  Israel  worked  to- 
gether, and  God  be  praised  for  the  resolute  hearts  he 
gave  them  to  hold  together,  when  all  their  efforts 
seemed  so  hopeless. 

It  is  pleasing  to  turn  from  a  dark  to  a  bright  pic 
ture.  This  we  do  when  we  turn  from  the  temporal 
to  the  spiritual  affairs  of  the  church.  These  years  of 
toil  and  struggle  were  marked  with  God's  presence 
in  the  sanctuary.  Mr.  Duffield  was  earnest  in  the 
preaching  of  the  gospel.  That  preaching  was  not  in 
vain.  Turning  from  the  business  records  of  the 
Board  of  Trustees  and  congregation,  to  the  Sessional 
records  of  the  church,  we  find  how  sinners  converted 
were  being  added  regularly  to  the  church. 

The  "  Great  Revival "  which  spread  over  so  many 
parts  of  our  country  during  the  winter  of  1857  and 
the  spring  of  1858,  was  felt  very  powerfully  by  this 
church.  The  members  of  the  church  were  greatly 
quickened  in  their  religious  feelings.  Meetings  were 
appointed  for  every  night  in  the  week,  and  for  several 
consecutive  weeks  these  meetings  continued  with  un- 
abated interest.  Many  of  the  members  of  the  church 
superintended  and  sustained  religious  services  in  fire 
engine  houses,  and  other  places  where  opportunity 
oft'ered.  So  general  and  so  controlling  was  the  influ- 
ence of  the  Holy  Spirit,  that  all  the  people  were 
aroused  to  work.  The  full  extent  of  this  work  we 
cannot  tell ;  but  this  church,  as  a  result,  rejoiced  in 


60  «  HISTORY    OF    THE 

receiving  into  its  membership,  on  profession  of  faith, 
71  persons. 

Mr.  Duffield  continued  to  minister  to  this  people 
until  June  19th,  1861.  At  that  time,  agreeably  to 
notice  given  from  the  pulpit  on  the  preceding  Sab- 
bath, a  congregational  meeting  was  held,  and  the 
following  communication  from  the  pastor  was  read: 

To  the  Central  Presbyterian  Churchy  N.  i.,  Phila, 

Dear  Brethren: — For  reasons  already  fully  as- 
signed, entirely  satisfactory,  I  trust,  to  the  brethren, 
and  which  it  is  unnecessary  now  to  repeat,  I  here- 
with respectfully  tender  my  resignation  as  the  pastor 
of  the  Central  Presbyterian  Church,  ^.  L.  Agree- 
ably to  the  "  Form  of  Government,"  Chapter  XTII, 
I  would  also  request  the  congregation  to  appear,  by 
their  commissioners,  at  the  next  meeting  of  the 
Fourth  Presbytery,  to  show  cause,  if  any  they  have, 
why  the  Presbytery  should  not  accept  said  resig- 
nation. 

Yours,  in  the  fellowship  of  the  gospel, 

George  Duffield,  Jr. 

Philadelphia,  June  16, 1861. 

The  congregation  acceded  to  the  request  of  their 
pastor,  and  appointed  Messrs.  Wm.  Sanderson  and 
Geo.  C.  Bower  a  committee  to  represent  them  in 
Presbytery. 

At  the  same  time  they  appointed  a  committee  to 
draft  resolutions  expressive  of  the  views  of  the  people 
with  regard  to  their  pastor.  This  committee  reported 
Ithe  following: 


TEMPLE   PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH.  61 

Resolved^  That  in  accepting  the  resignation  of  our 
pastor,  the  Rev.  George  Duffield,  Jr.,  we  take  the  op- 
portunity to  bear  witness  to  his  unwearied  labors  for 
our  spiritual  welfare,  his  Christian  deportment,  and 
disinterested  self-devotion  to  the  cause  of  religion 
and  morality  in  our  midst  for  the  past  nine  years ; 
and  we  hope  that  wherever,  in  the  jDrovidence  of 
God,  he  may  be  called  to  labor,  that  the  blessing  of 
Heaven  may  attend  his  efforts. 

This  resolution  was  adopted,  and  a  copy  sent  to 
Mr.  Duffield. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Fourth  Presbytery,  held  on 
the  27th  of  June,  1861,  the  dissolution  of  the  pastoral 
relation  between  Mr.  Duffield  and  this  people  was 
formally  consummated. 

During  the  nine  years  of  Mr.  Duffield 's  labors  in 
this  church,  there  were  added  to  its  communion  237 
persons. 

YII. 

THE   REV.  JAMES  Y.  MITCHELL,  THE   SIXTH    PASTOR.* 

The  church  again  without  a  pastor,  depended  upon 
such  supplies  as  could  be  secured.    The  inconvenience 

*  Mr.  Mitchell  was  born  in  this  city.  From  Harrison  Grammar  School,  he 
was  admitted  into  the  High  School,  where  he  was  a  student  for  about  three 
years.  Upon  leaving  the  High  School,  he  entered  the  Academy  at  Newark, 
Del.,  where  he  was  prepared  for  college.  After  spending  two  vears  in  Delaware 
College,  he  entered  Union  College,  Schenectady,  N.  Y.,  where  he  graduated 
July  26th,  1854.  In  the  fall  of  the  same  year,  he  entered  Princeton  Theological 
Seminary,  and  continued  there  until  graduation.  May  12th,  1857.  He  was  licensed 
to  preach  the  gospel  by  the  Philadelphia  Presbytery  in  April,  1857.  While  in 
the  Seminary  he  received  and  accepted  a  call  from  the  Presbvterian  Church 
at  Phillipsburg,  N.  J.,  and  on  July  14th,  1857,  was  ordained,  and  installed  pastor 
of  the  samo  by  Newton  Presbytery.  He  continued  with  his  first  church  until 
January,  18*>2. 


62  HISTORY    OF   THE 

and  difficulty  attendant  upon  securing  different 
ministers  every  week,  induced  the  Session  to  arrange 
for  the  supply  of  their  pulpit  for  a  longer  period  hy 
the  same  person.  This  arrangement  after  the  lapse 
of  a  few  months,  did  not  give  very  general  satisfac- 
tion, and  the  pulpit  was  again  opened  for  other 
ministers  to  be  heard. 

It  was  in  the  month  of  February,  1862,  that  the 
Session  invited  Rev.  James  Y.  Mitchell  to  preach  for 
them.  Mr.  Mitchell  at  that  time  was  making  his 
home  with  his  parents  in  the  city.  Having  resigned 
the  pastoral  charge  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  at 
Phillipsburg,  E".  J.,  on  the  first  Sabbath  in  January, 
1862,  he  was  now  desirous  of  enjoying  a  season  of  rest 
from  pastoral  duties.  Upon  coming  to  the  city,  he 
was  invited  to  preach  in  the  First  Presbyterian 
Church,  N.  L.  In  this  Church  he  had  been  baptized 
in  infancy,  and  in  this  church  he  had  continued  until 
he  left  home  to  pursue  his  studies  for  the  ministry. 
The  pastor  of  the  First  Church,  N".  L.,  being  ill  at 
the  time,  Mr.  Mitchell  concluded  to  take  his  place 
in  the  pulpit.  It  was  whilst  temporarily  supplying 
this  pulpit  that  several  members  of  the  Central  N. 
L.  Church,  some  of  whom  were  formerly  schoolmates 
and  associates  with  Mr.  Mitchell,  heard  him,  and  to 
them  is  due  the  invitation  which  he  soon  received  to 
occupy  their  pulpit. 

Beginning  in  February,  1862,  he  preached,  upon 
weekly  invitations,  almost  without  interruption  until 
the  month  of  Mav,  when  he  Avas  absent  for  several 


TEMPLE   PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH.  63 

Weeks  as  a  commissioner  from  the  Presbytery  of 
!N*ewton  to  the  General  Assembly,  then  sitting  at 
Columbus,  Ohio.  Upon  his  return,  however,  the 
invitations  were  renewed,  and  his  preaching  con- 
tinued. 

During  these  months  he  was  frequently  spoken  to 
about  becoming  the  pastor  of  this  church.  At  that 
time,  he  freely  stated  his  misgivings  about  settling 
in  the  city.  He  feared  that  coming  to  his  native 
place,  laboring  under  the  shadow  of  his  father's 
house,  havins:  in  his  cono;re2:ation,  and  amons^  the 
office  bearers  of  his  church,  those  who  knew  him  in 
the  thoughtlessness  of  his  youth,  would  impair  his 
efficiency  as  a  minister  of  the  gospel.  But  there 
were  dreadful  misgivings  about  the  church  itself. 
There  were  less  than  one  hundred  reliable  names  upon 
the  church  register;  a  debt  amounting  to  S7500  still 
rested  against  the  property;  the  pew  rents  barely 
yielded  $1000  ;  and  there  was  little  encouragement 
to  gather  a  congregation  from  the  surrounding 
German  community.  While  investigating  the  con- 
dition of  things,  daily  was  mention  made  of  the 
hopelessness  of  the  enterprise.  In  the  Pastor's 
Association,  in  the  Presbytery,  in  the  surrounding 
churches  and  community,  the  church  was  spoken  of 
as  having  a  hare  existence^  but  not  a  life  ;  and  promi- 
nent ministers  were  not  slow  to  say,  "  it  would  be 
folly  for  the  congregation  to  call  another  pastor." 

Over  against  these  misgivings,  however,  was  the 
fiict,  that,  though  small  in  numbers,  the  congregation 


f>4  HISTORY   OF   THE 

had  determination,  courage,  and  much  prayer.  The 
people  were  earnest,  faithful  and  ready  to  make 
sacrifices ;  and  the  cordiality  with  which  Mr. 
Mitchell's  companions  of  other  days  greeted  him, 
gave  assurance  that  the  friendships,  the  allowances, 
and  the  sympathies  of  early  days,  might  be  carried  into 
manhood  life ;  that  they  who  have  schooled  together, 
and  played  together,  when  lads,  could  work  together, 
pray  together,  and  be  taught  together  in  the  house 
of  God. 

Encouraged  in  the  matter,  the  congregation  at  a 
a  meeting  duly  called  on  June  11th,  1862,  elected 
Rev.  James  Y.  Mitchell  their  pastor,  at  a  salary  of 
$1000  per  annum,  and  Messrs.  Wm.  Sanderson  and 
Robert  M.  Foust  were  appointed  a  committee  to 
prosecute  the  call  before  Presbytery. 

Upon  the  reception  of  the  call,  Mr.  Mitchell 
addressed  the  following  letter  to  the  Board  of  Trus- 
tees, which  they  in  turn  presented  to  the  congrega- 
tion, at  a  meeting  held  July  16th,  1862. 

Philadelphia^  July  Sth^  186^. 

Brethren. — -Thi-ough  you  I  desire  to  signify  to  the 
congregation  of  the  Central  Presbyterian  Church,  'E. 
L.,  my  acceptance  of  the  call  to  become  their  pastor. 
Whatever  objections  may  have  suggested  themselves 
to  my  mind  at  first,  I  believe  have  been  fully 
removed  by  the  following  information: 

1st.  The  debt  on  your  church  edifice  is  in  such 
hands  as  to  warrant  the  belief  that  it  wnll  give  you 
no  present  trouble,  and  also  that  the  said  debt  will 
speedily  be  removed  altogether. 


TEMPLE  '  PRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH,     .  6& 

2d.  Your  congregation,  though  small  compared 
with  what  it  once  was,  is  a  united  congregation,  and 
I  can  rely  on  thi^  unity  in  my  endeavors  to  build  up 
your  enterprise. 

For  our  mutual  understanding,  I  request  at  the 
outset,  from  you,  an  assent  to  the  following  proposi- 
tions : 

1st.  Punctual  payment  of  each  quarter's  salary. 

2d.  An  increase  of  salary  at  such  time  when 
the  revenue  of  the  church  from  pew  rents  will 
justify  it. 

3d.  A  vacation  of  four  weeks  during  the  summer 
season  of  each  year. 

4th.  A  cordial  co-operation  with  me  in  the  work 
of  building  up  the  Redeemer's  kingdom. 

It  is  becoming  in  me  to  state  that  I  enter  upon 
the  work  with  fear  and  trembling,  and  nothing  for- 
tifies me  in  accepting  your  call  but  the  assurance 
that  Grod  can  bring  strength  out  of  weakness. 

I  have  sought  for  light,  by  means  of  consultation, 
meditation  and  prayer ;  and  directed,  as  I  trust  I 
have  been,  by  the  Blessed  Spirit,  may  my  ming- 
ling with  you  hereafter,  as  your  pastor,  be  blessed 
to  us  all. 

Desirous  of  hearing  from  you  with  regard  to  my 
propositions,  I  am. 

Your  brother  in  Christ, 

(Signed)      Jas.  Y.  Mitchell. 

The  congregation  having  assented  to  the  proposi- 
tions contained  in  the  above  letter,  Mr.  Mitchell 
began  his  labors  at  once. 

It  was  not,  however,  until  October  of  the  same 
year  that  he  made  application  for  and  received  his 


66  HISTORY   OP  THE 

letter  of  dismission  from  Kewton  Presbytery.  This 
letter  was  presented  to  the  Fourth  Presbytery  of 
Philadelphia,  October  15th,  1862,  and  Mr.  Mitchell's 
name  was  ordered  to  be  enrolled  as  a  member  of 
said  Presbytery. 

On  October  26th,  1862,  he  was  installed  as  pastor 
of  this  church.  Notwithstanding  a  heavy  rain  kept 
many  away,  quite  a  large  audience  gathered  to 
witness  the  installation,  and  encourage,  by  their 
presence,  the  efforts  of  the  people  to  continue  the 
worship  of  God  where  in  other  days  he  had  so  sig- 
nally blessed  them. 

The  report  which  was  read  at  the  lirst  annual 
meeting  of  the  congregation  succeeding  the  installa- 
tion, speaks  very  encouragingly  of  the  condition  of 
things  in  the  church  at  that  time.  The  congrega- 
tions were  considerably  larger,  while  the  pew  rentals 
had  increased,  and  the  prospects  generally  were  more 
encouraging. 

At  this  time  it  was  thought  that  the  good  of  the 
church  might  be  promoted  by  fostering  a  more  socia- 
ble feeling  among  the  members.  To  this  end,  meet- 
ings were  held  every  Tuesday  evening,  at  the  houses 
of  the  members.  Beneficial  results  accrued  from 
these  meetings.  The  people  became  better  acquainted 
with  each  other ;  the  interests  of  the  church  were 
kept  continually  before  them,  and  weekly  collections 
were  voluntarily  made  to  supplement  the  regular 
revenues  of  the  church. 

^Notwithstanding  the   efforts   which  were  being 


TEMPLE   PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH.  67 

made,  the  deficiencies  in  the  receipts  were  not  met ; 
and,  by  a  vote  of  the  congregation,  a  committee  was 
appointed  to  canvass  it,  in  order  to  procure  such  sub- 
scriptions as  the  members  were  willing  to  give,  in 
addition  to  what  they  were  already  contributing. 
This  was  the  beginning  of  what  was  known  as  the 
"Quarterly  Subscriptions."  Due  notice  was  given 
from  the  pulpit  of  the  time  these  subscriptions  were 
to  be  paid,  and  the  congregation  became  as  familiar 
with  the  notice  of  their  payment  being  due,  as  they 
were  with  the  quarterly  announcement  of  "  the  pew 
committee  being  in  attendance  to  receive  pew  rents 
now  due  ;  also,  to  rent  pews  and  sittings." 

"Quarterly  Subscriptions"  became  a  fixed  fact 
during  the  continuance  of  the  congregation  in  the 
"  Old  Church."  It  became  evident  that  the  debt  of 
$7,500  against  the  property  should,  if  possible,  be  at 
once  liquidated.  To  this  end  the  attention  of  the 
people  was  early  called.  The  pastor  was  requested 
to  see  the  mortgage  holders,  and  learn  whether  they 
would  be  willing  to  make  any  abatement  of  their 
claims.  Some  were  quite  ready  so  to  do  at  once. 
Others  had  to  be  more  frequently  seen.  After  a 
time  they  all  gave  encouragement  by  donating  the 
back  interest,  and  relinquishing,  in  whole  or  part, 
the  principal.  Finding  also  a  willingness  on  the 
part  of  many  outside  of  the  church  to  contribute 
towards  the  liquidation  of  the  entire  indebtedness, 
a  meeting  of  the  congregation  was  informally  called, 
on  Wednesday  evening,  April  8th,  1863.     At  this 


68  HISTORY    OF   THE 

meeting,  the  people,  upon  learning  of  the  liberality  of 
the  creditors,  and  of  others  in  the  community,  deter- 
mined to  go  to  work  and  see  what  they  could  do  as 
individuals.  Many  took  subscription  books  to  go 
among  their  friends ;  many  subscribed  themselves ; 
and  so  resolute  were  they  in  the  matter,  that  the 
week  following  the  Board  of  Trustees,  at  an  ad- 
journed meeting,  appointed  a  committee  to  receive 
moneys  brought  in  by  the  people,  and  to  attend  to 
the  paying  off  the  debt.  The  whole  indebtedness 
was  virtually  provided  for  in  two  weeks,  and  in  one 
month  from  the  commencement  of  the  effort  the 
claims  against  the  church  were  satisfied. 

The  debt  which  had  oppressed  the  people  from  the 
beginning  of  the  enterprise  was  removed,  and  the 
committee  of  the  Board  found  that  they  had  received 
$226.45  more  than  was  required. 

This  work  was  the  work  of  a  peojyle  interested^  deter- 
mined, and,  laboring  in  unity. 

Many  were  the  thanksgivings  offered  unto  God 
for  this  timely  relief,  and  many  were  the  expressions 
of  gratitude,  not  only  because  of  the  work  done,  but 
because  also  of  the  manner  in  which  it  was  done. 

All  had  done  what  they  could. 

The  people  united  in  an  expression  of  good-will 
and  friendship  towards  their  pastor,  and  on  the  24th 
of  May,  1863,  gave  him,  as  a  token  of  their  kindly 
feelings,  a  beautiful  gold  watch,  suitably  engraved y 
to  perpetuate  the  memories  of  those  glad  days. 

Tlie  congregation  had  not  yet  ceased  to  believe 


TEMPLE   PRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH.  69 

that  at  an  early  date,  necessity  would  compel  them  to 
change  the  location  of  the  church.  God  seemed  to 
be  arranging  for  the  removal,  l^ow  that  the  debt 
was  removed,  the  whole  subject  was  simplified. 

The  trustees  turned  their  attention  to  getting  a 
full  possession  of  all  the  pews  in  the  church.  It  was 
held  that  a  clear  title  to  the  sale  of  the  property 
could  not  be  given,  unless  those  owning  pews  yielded 
their  claims.  A  committee  of  the  Board  was  ap- 
pointed to  arrange  this  matter.  Persons  holding 
"  pew  deeds "  were  seen,  and  soon  it  was  reported 
that  all  the  deeds  were  either  in  the  hands  of  the 
Board,  or  the  owners  were  ready  cheerfully  and  fully 
to  return  them  to  the  Board. 

Now  the  sale  of  the  church  property  began  to  be 
regularly  talked  about.  The  congregation  at  a 
meetmg  held  January  9th,  1865,  empowered  the 
Board  of  Trustees  to  sell  the  property ;  they  also 
appointed  a  committee  to  obtain  a  suitable  site  for  a 
new  edifice,  together  with  a  committee  to  receive 
contributions  for  a  new  church.  The  feeling 'pre- 
vailed that,  in  locating  elsewhere,  the  wants  of  the 
congregation  would  be  best  met  by  going  !N"orth 
from  Poplar  street,  and  remaining  East  of  I*^inth 
street.  Hence,  we  find  reported  for  consideration, 
a  lot  on  Franklin  street  and  South  of  Girard  Ave- 
nue. This  lot  was  abandoned  and  another  con- 
sidered at  the  IRorth-east  corner  of  Eighth  street  and 
Girard  Avenue. 

It  was  in  contemplation  at  this  time,  to  build  a 


70  HIST^^Y    OF   THE 

"  Chapel  "  to  answer  all  present  purposes,  and  wait 
until  some  future  time  for  the  erection  of  the  main 
building.  The  last  named  lot,  containing  90  feet 
front  on  Girard  avenue,  and  140  feet  front  on  Eighth 
street,  seemed  to  answer  the  purposes,  and  met  the 
views  of  the  congregation.  The  "  committee  on 
site,"  held  the  refusal  of  it  for  a  few  weeks  at  $7.00 
per  foot.  During  that  time  the  consent  of  the  con- 
gregation was  given  to  the  purchase  of  it,  and  on 
March  13th,  1865,  Messrs.  Wm.  Sanderson,  Wm.  R. 
Stewart,  and  Abner  Lincoln,  were  appointed  "  a 
committee  to  have  erected  thereon  a  suitable  build- 
mg. 

When  the  committee  on  the  purchase  of  the  lot  went 
to  the  owner  to  close  the  bargain,  he  demanded 
fifty  cents  more  per  foot  than  he  had  previously 
asked ;  thus  breaking  his  word  and  disgusting  the 
committee. 

This  fact  occasioned  a  rest  in  the  agitation  of 
building  immediately.  All  committees  appointed 
with  this  in  view  ceased  their  work,  and  before  the 
subject  was  again  i-enewed,  by  common  consent 
ceased  to  exist. 

The  attention  of  many  of  the  congregation  was 
now  turned  to  the  lot  at  the  Xorth-east  corner  of 
Franklin  and  Thompson  streets.  At  that  time, 
there  stood  on  the  corner  a  small,  old  fashioned  and 
badly  dilapitated  frame  dwelling-house.  The  bal- 
ance of  the  lot  was  used  for  the  storage  of  second- 
hand lumber. 


TEMPLE   PRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH.  71 

The  owner  was  seen  about  it  several  times,  but  did 
not  feel  disposed  to  sell,  because  he  felt  that  the  re- 
quirements of  his  business  demanded  him  to  hold  it. 
The  eyes  of  the  congregation  were  on  it,  however, 
and  it  seemed  as  though  they  could  not  look  else- 
where. 

In  the  meantime,  the  church  building  was  held  for 
sale  ;  but  no  active  steps  were  taken  to  hasten  it. 

The  people  thought  more  of  what  was  required  in 
their  present  position,  than  of  worrying  about 
another.  The  great  need  was  to  hold  together  those 
already  in  the  church,  and  this,  under  God,  was 
satisfactorily  successful. 

At  a  congregational  meeting  held  January  14th, 
1867,  the  Pastor's  salary  was  increased  $500  per 
annum.  Although  this  was  the  first  recorded  addi- 
tion to  what  was  promised  him  at  the  beginning,  it 
is  to  be  remembered  that  regularly,  notwithstanding 
the  struggles  and  sacrifices  of  the  people,  they  had, 
up  till  that  time,  as  they  have  from  that  time  to  the 
present,  annually  remembered  him  with  money 
gifts,  varying  from  $250  to  $500. 

From  the  spring  of  1865,  to  that  of  1867,  little  or 
no  mention  is  made  of  selling  the  church  property. 
In  the  latter  year,  we  find  the  matter  again  agitated 
in  the  Board  of  Trustees,  and  a  new  committee  on 
sale  appointed.  The  Board  at  that  time  fixed  the 
price  of  the  property  (with  a  reservation  of  part  of 
the  church  furniture,  and  the  organ)  at  $20,000. 
The  committee  had  several  interviews  with  othef 


72  HISTORY    OF   THE 

clmrch  committees,  who  talked  of  buying,  but.,  no 
definite  conclusion  was  reached.  They  conferred 
with  a  committee  of  the  Fourth  Presbytery,  who  had 
in  charge  the  purchase  of  a  property  for  a  German 
Church,  but  without  eifecting  a  sale. 

.  The  congregation,  on  January  13th,  1868,  ap- 
IDointed  Messrs.  S.  L.  Kirk,  Jos.  Aitken,  AYm.  E. 
Stewart,  A.  Lincoln  and  S.  Bradbury,  "  a  committee 
to  select  a  new  site,  and  erect  a  church  edifice 
thereon." 

On  May  11th,  1868,  Messers.  Lincoln  and  Brad- 
bury, were  appointed  a  committee  of  the  Board  of 
Trustees  "  to  place  the  church  for  sale  in  the  hands 
of  a  real  estate  broker,  and  in  the  event  of  his  not 
selling  it  within  a  month,  to  offer  it  at  auction." 

Thus  it  appears,  that  there  was  a  determination  to 
move ;  actions  tending  in  this  direction  were  crowd- 
ing one  upon  another.  The  congregation  was  ever 
ready  to  second  the  action  of  the  Trustees,  and  the 
Trustees  were  ever  ready  to  second  the  action  of  the 
cono;re2:ation. 

Matters  took  a  more  definite  shape  in  the  summer 
of  1868.  During  August,  of  that  year,  Mr.  j^athan 
W.  Ellis,  the  owner  of  the  lot  at  the  North-east  cor- 
ner of  Franklin  and  Thompson  streets,  advised  our 
committee  on  "  purchase  of  lot "  that  he  was  then 
prepared  to  sell,  and  would  wait  but  a  limited  time 
before  he  would  offer  his  lot  to  the  public.  Our  com- 
mittee, as  soon  as  the  congregation  could  be  brought 
together  after  the  summer  A^acation,  had  a  call   read 


TEMPLE   PRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH.  73 

Zqx  a..maQting  to.  be  held  September  9th,  1868.  At 
this  meeting  it  was  stated  that  the  lot  on  which  the 
people  for  so  long  a  time  had  fixed  their  minds, 
could  now  be  had ;  but  any  failure  to  act  at  once, 
would  probably  throw  it  into  the  hands  of  others. 

With  an  almost  unanimous  voice,  the  people" 
directed  its  purchase,  and  appointed  Messrs.  A.  Lin- 
coln and  S.  Bradbury  a  committee  to  secure  it  on  the 
best  terms  possible.  On  the  23d  of  the  same  month, 
the  committee  reported  to  the  congregation  that  they 
had  purchased  the  lot  named,  80  feet  on  Thompson 
street,  and  120  feet  front  on  Franklin  street,  at  $7.50 
per  foot,  making  the  entire  purchase  money  $15, 
000.  One  half  of  this  amount  was  to  be  paid  on  the 
execution  of  the  deed,  and  the  other  half  to  remain 
on  mortgage  for  five  yeai*s.  Immediately  upon  the 
determination  of  the  congregation  to  move,  the  pas- 
tor brought  the  subject  to  the  attention  of  the  "  Pas- 
tor's Association.  (The  "  Pastor's  Association  "  was 
composed  of  all  the  pastors  in  the  'New  School 
branch  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  residing  in  the 
city  of  Philadelphia  and  vicinity).  The  Association 
appointed  a  committee  to  visit  the  church,  examine 
its  present  location  and  the  new  site,  and  report 
thereon  at  an  early  date.  The  following  is  their  re- 
port : 

Pastor's  Association^  Philadelphia, 
September  21st,  1868. 

The    committee   appointed   to   visit   the   Central 
Church,  ^.  L.,  in  relation  to  the  proposed  removal  of 


74  HISTORY   OF   THB 

the  congregation  from  their  present  locality  on 
Coates  street  below  Fourth,  to  another  part  of  the 
city,  beg  leave  to  report,  viz. : 

The  committee  on  visiting  the  church,  found  that 
the  congregation  had  determined  to  remove  to  a  lot  on 
Franklin  and  Thompson  streets. 

This  action  we  consider  profound  wisdom. 

The  present  locality  of  the  church,  in  the  midst 
of  an  almost  entirely  German  population,  and  the 
very  many  unpleasant  surroundings,  with  little  or  no 
material  out  of  which  to  build  up  a  congregation, 
lead  the  committee  to  the  conviction  that  it  must 
ultimately  go  down,  and  that  at  no  very  distant  day. 

This  event  we  all  would  regard  as  a  great  calamity 
to  the  cause  of  Christ,  and  especially  to  our  brancn 
of  the  church. 

The  former  history  of  the  Central  (N.  L.)  Church, 
the  benevolence  of  the  members,  and  their  noble 
work  for  the  Master  in  years  past,  deserve  to  be  per- 
petuated in  another  and  more  promising  field — one 
in  which  their  energies  can  be  put  forth  on  more 
hopeful  material  than  its  present  locality  will  ever 
afford. 

The  lot  on  the  corner  of  Franklin  and  Thompson 
streets,  on  which  they  propose  to  build  a  new  and 
handsome  house  of  worship,  the  committee  regard  as 
a  very  excellent  position.  It  is  in  a  growing  portion 
of  the  city,  surrounded  by  a  population  of  the  highest 
respectability,  more  than  a  mile  distant  from  the 
nearest  church  of  our  denomination,  and  more  conve- 
nient for  the  congregation  now  attending  the  old 
church. 

"With  the  spirit  which  the  prospect  of  a  new  and 
more  hopeful  field  has  infused  into  the  congregation, 
the  energy  of  their  pastor.  Rev.  James  Y.  Mitchell, 
and  the  blessing  of  God,  the  committee  feel  that  a 


TEMPLE    PRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH.  76 

flourishing  and  influential  congregation  will  be  the 
result  of  the  removal  to  this  point. 

In  view  of  this  fact,  and  the  good  work  which  this 
old  church  has  already  done  for  Presbyterianism,  and 
unwilling  to  see  its  light  go  out  for  want  of  a  proper 
field  in  which  to  expand  its  power  for  good,  we  cor- 
dially commend  this  enterprise  to  the  warm  sympa- 
thy and  Christian  liberality  of  our  people,  trusting 
to  make  the  latter  history  of  the  Central  Church 
more  glorious  than  the  former. 

(Signed)     R.  H.  Allen, 

Herrick  Johnson, 

Peter  Stryker,       }■  Committee, 

Geo.  F.  Wiswell, 

Z  M.  Humphrey, 

This  report  encouraged  the  people,  as  they  felt 
that  they  had  the  sympathy  and  co-operation  of  the 
Christian  community,  and  that  with  these,  success 
must  surely  come. 

They  appointed  Messrs.  A.  Lincoln,  J.  F.  Jaggers, 
and  the  pastor,  a  committee  to  solicit  subscriptions 
in  the  congregation ;  and  Mr.  S.  L.  Kirk,  Treasurer,  to 
receive  all  moneys  collected,  by  the  committee  or 
congregation,  for  the  new  church. 

An  unlooked-for  event  happened  about  this  time. 
The  Session,  at  the  request  of  the  pastor,  called  a 
meeting  of  the  congregation,  October  14th,  1868,  for 
the  purpose  of  getting  the  people  to  unite  with  him 
in  asking  Presbytery  to  dissolve  the  relation  existing 
between  him  and  this  church. 

The  meeting  was  held  in  accordance  with  the  call, 


76  HISTORY   OF  THE 

and,  by  a  unanimous  vote,  the  congregation  decided 
to  remonstrate  against  such  a  dissolution,  and  ap- 
pointed Messrs.  Jos.  Aitken,  Abner  Lincoln,  and 
Robert  Aitken,  commissioners  to  represent  them  in 
Presbytery.  The  elders  were  appointed  a  committee 
to  wait  upon  the  pastor,  acquaint  him  with  the  ac- 
tion of  the  congregation,  and  report  at  a  'subsequent 
meeting,  to  be  held  on  Friday  evening,  0(5tober  16th, 
1868.  At  this  meeting  the  elders  reported  having 
seen  Mr.  Mitchell,  and  that  the  whole  matter  had 
been  satisfactorily  adjusted. 

Mr.  Mitchell,  upon  invitation  of  the  congregation, 
made  a  short  address,  in  which  he  expressed  the 
happy  relations  which  had  existed  between  him  and 
his  people  since  he  had  become  their  pastor;  ex- 
pressed the  hope  that  the  subject  which  had  agitated 
them  would  speedily  be  forgotten,  and  that  together 
they  might  labor  in  happy  accord  for  the  welfare  of 
the  church.  The  occasion  of  his  application  to  be 
relieved  was  not  sought  for,  nor  was  it  in  the  line  of 
his  own  judgment.  Several  of  his  ministerial  breth- 
ren had  named  a  place  in  Michigan  as  the  key  to  the 
whole  of  the  I^orthwest,  and  as  a  place  of  great  im- 
portance to  Presbyterianism.  Believing  that  he  had 
the  necessary  qualifications  to  improve  it  to  the  best 
advantage  of  the  church  and  kingdom  of  Christ,  they 
desired  him  to  go  there.  Taking  the  advice  of  these 
brethren,  and  having  iiattering  inducements  held  out 
to  him  by  a  people  he  had  never  seen,  he  yielded  his 
own  judgment,  and  sought  to  acquiesce  in  theirs. 


TExMPLE    PRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH.  77 

This  congregation,  however,  interfered,  and  showed 
their  appreciation  of  their  pastor  not  only  by  a  con- 
gregational vote,  but  also  by  adding  to  his  salary 
$1000. 

It  should  ever  be  remembered,  that  while  they 
were  struggling  towards  the  building  of  a  new 
church,  they  made  this  increase  of  salary,  and  the 
Lord  enabled  them  to  meet  it  as  readily  as  any  they 
had  ever  paid  before. 

On  November  2d,  1868,  the  congregation  author- 
ized the  Board  of  Trustees  to  execute  a  mortgage  to 
Kathan  W.  Ellis  for  $7,500,  for  five  years  from 
January  1st,  1869 ;  and  at  a  subsequent  meeting, 
held  November  27th,  1868,  authorized  the  Board  of 
Trustees  to  build  a  new  church  edifice  on  the  lot 
purchased,  to  make  contracts,  and  to  incur  all  neces- 
sary expenses  in  so  doing. 


VIII. 

THE    "OLD   edifice"    SOLD,   AND    THE   "NEW    ONe" 

BUILDING. 

The  records  of  the  Board  show  that  they  were 
now  earnestly  engaged  in  furthering  the  wishes  of 
the  congregation. 

At  their  regular  stated  meeting,  held  February 
8th,  1869,  Messrs.  S.  L.  Kirk,  Abner  Lincoln,  and 
S.  Bradbury,  were,  on  motion  of  Mr.  AV*m.  R.  Stewart. 


78 


HISTORY   OP   THE 


appointed  "The  Building  Committee."  This  com- 
mittee invited  the  pastor  to  co-operate  with  them. 

The  Building  Committee  held  several  interviews 
with  Mr.  Addison  Hutton,  architect,  giving  him 
certain  general  outlines  as  to  the  kind  of  building 
thej  desired;  specifying  certain  particulars  which 
they  had  seen  in  other  churches  they  had  visited, 
and  which  they  desired  to  have  in  our  own ;  and 
finally  reported  to  the  Board,  April  12th,  1869,  that 
they  had  adopted  the  plans  and  specifications  fur- 
nished by  Mr.  Hutton  ;  had  received  estimates  based 
upon  these  plans  and  specifications,  and  that  other 
builders  were  estimating  upon  them. 

The  committee,  in  arranging  with  the  architect, 
desired  not  only  that  he  should  prepare  plans  and 
specifications,  but  that  he  should  put  these  into  the 
hands  of  but  a  limited  number  of  builders,  and  these 
of  unquestionable  standing ;  that  he  should  give  his 
attention  to  the  building  as  it  progressed,  and  see 
that  it  was  built  of  the  best  materials  and  in  the 
most  workmanlike  manner ;  and  that  in  all  cases  of 
dispute  which  might  arise  between  the  contractor 
and  committee,  he  should  act  as  arbiter.  The  com- 
mittee engaged  to  pay  him  for  his  services,  in  these 
several  particulars,  a  percentage  on  the  cost  of  the 
building,  which,  when  a  final  settlement  was  made, 
amounted  to  $1,950. 

From  the  time  when  the  new  lot  was  purchased, 
the  disposal  of  the  church  property  became  a  subject 
of  great  perplexity.     It  was  felt  that  no  work  on  the 


TEMPLE    PRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH.  79 

new  building  could  go  on  until  money  had  been  se- 
cured from  the  sale  of  the  old.  The  Committee  on 
sale  were  necessarily  laboring  with  many  misgivings. 
There  had  been  much  advertising  of  the  old  property 
for  sale,  but  no  buyers  were  found.  Real  estate  bro- 
kers could  not,  or  did  not  dispose  of  it.  As  a  last 
resource,  it  was  placed  in  the  hands  of  Thomas  & 
Sons,  auctioneers,  to  be  sold  Kovember  24th,  1868, 
at  public  sale,  with  the  understanding  that  it  should 
not  be  sold  for  less  than  $15,000. 

I^one  can  imagine  the  surprise  and  mortification 
experienced  by  the  committee  in  attendance  upon 
that  sale,  when,  after  many  efforts  on  the  part  of  the 
auctioneer,  not  a  single  bid  could  be  secured,  even  at 
the  low  figure  named. 

The  work  of  that  day  made  hearts  sick.  It  was 
felt  that  the  property  must  be  disposed  of  now,  at 
any  price.  Spring,  and  with  it  the  time  of  building 
would  soon  come.  It  had  been  noised  abroad  that 
the  work  on  the  new  building  would  soon  commence ; 
but  how  could  it  now,  when  the  unsold  jyroperty  held 
us  back.     Our  hopes  for  the  time  seemed  blasted. 

Just  when  matters  were  at  the  worst,  God  inter- 
fered. A  committee  from  the  Salem  Reformed 
(German)  Church,  held  a  conference  with  the  com- 
mittee of  this  church,  with  regard  to  the  purchase 
of  the  property.  At  this  conference,  they  asked  for 
and  obtained  the  refusal  of  the  property  for  one 
week.  At  that  time,  April  27th,  1869,  the  commit- 
tees again  met,  and  after  a  season  of  conference,  the 


so  HISTORY   OF   THE 

property  on  Coates  street  was  sold  to  the  Salem  Ger- 
man Eeformed  Church,  for  $17,750. 

In  this  sale  was  included  all  the  property,  with 
the  exception  of  pulpit  furniture,  communion  table, 
and  such  other  goods  as  might  be  denominated  Sab- 
bath School,  or  private  property.  The  terms  of  sale 
were  such  as  to  allow  the  building  committee  to  go 
forward  in  their  work  w^ith  satisfaction,  as  soon  as 
the  season  would  permit. 

The  relief  which  this  sale  aiforded  was  opportune, 
and,  as  we  believe,  directed  by  the  unerring  wisdom 
of  God.  Had  any  questioned  the  propriety  of 
changing  location,  God  in  this  matter  convinced  them 
by  a  voice  which  said  "  go  forward." 

The  Sabbath  following  this  relief,  the  pastor 
understanding  the  feelings  of  the  people,  and  enter- 
ing into  the  channel  of  their  thoughts,  preached  from 
the  text,  "  The  cloud  was  taken  up  from  over  the 
tabernacle,"  Exodus,  40  chap.  36  verse.  The  direc- 
tions and  deliverences  of  God,  were  presented  in  the 
sermon ;  and  the  people  were  taught  to  see  that  by 
command  of  God,  they  were  to  go  up  and  possess 
the  new  land.  Before  that  Sabbath  day  had 
closed,  one  young  man  who  before  that  time  had  not 
seen  his  way  clear  to  give  to  the  new  enterprise,  sent 
a  letter  to  the  pastor,  stating  that  he  was  fully  con- 
vinced the  Lord  had  determined  the  movement,  and 
enclosed  a  substantial  donation  to  help  it  forward. 

A  lady  also,  who  prior  to  that  time  had  opposed 
any  change  in  location,  after  hearing  of  the  provi- 


TEMPLE    PRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH.  81 

dences  of  G-od,  which  had  confirmed  the  wisdom  of 
the  change,  resolved,  that  should  the  Lord  ever  put 
in  her  possession  a  certain  sum  of  money  which  had 
been  owing  to  her  for  a  long  time,  she  would  give  it 
as  a  contribution  towards  the  new  church.  Strange 
to  say,  within  a  few  days  from  the  time  she  made 
the  resolution,  she  had  received  the  money  and  given 
it  over  for  the  object  named. 

The  "  Old  Building  "  having  now  been  sold,  the  work 
of  going  forward  with  the  "  "New  "  was  stimulated. 
The  estimates  for  finishing  the  entire  building  when 
opened  and  read,  were  found  to  be  considerably  be- 
yond the  calculations  of  the  Building  Committee, 
ranging  as  they  did  from  $67,000  to  over  $80,000. 
It  was  then  concluded  to  invite  estimates  for  the  put- 
ting up  of  the  building,  roofing  it  in,  topping  out  the 
tower,  flooring  the  audience  room,  and  finishing  the 
Lecture  Room  complete. 

In  estimating  upon  this  work,  Mr.  Robert  Scott, 
of  Wilmington,  Delaware,  was  the  lowest  bidder ; 
and  with  him,  Abner  Lincoln,  President,  and  Robert 
Aitken,  Secretary,  on  behalf  of  the  Board  of  Trustees, 
contracted  for  the  building  of  an  edifice  according 
to  the  plans  and  specifications  of  Addison  Hutton, 
Architect. 

It  was  on  Tuesday,  May  llth,  1869,  when  Mr. 
Scott's  estimate  was  accepted  by  the  Buikling  Com- 
mittee. At  the  Wednesday  evening  lecture,  the 
congregation  was  invited  to  meet  before  7  o'clock  on 
Thursday  morning.  May  13th,  on  the  lot  at  Franklin 


82  HISTORY   OP   THE 

and  Thompson  streets.  A  goodly  number  met  at 
the  time  named,  when  the  pastor,  in  prayer,  invoked 
the  Divine  blessing  upon  the  enterprise  ;  prayed  that 
there  might  be  no  interruption  for  want  of  means  to 
go  forward ;  asked  protection  for  all  who  might 
labor  on  or  about  the  building,  so  that  no  accident 
might  befall  any ;  and  entreated  the  Heavenly  Father 
to  make  the  church  there  erected,  a  lasting  good  to 
the  community,  and  a  glory  to  his  holy  name. 

After  prayer,  the  pastor  took  a  spade,  dug  the  first 
earth,  and  cast  it  into  a  cart.  He  was  followed  by 
the  other  members,  male  and  female,  and  soon  the 
first  cart  load  of  earth  was  hauled  away. 

From  that  time  the  work  went  steadily  forward. 
All  were  solicitous  about  the  kind  of  soil  which 
would  be  found  beneath  the  surface.  We  were  glad- 
dened to  see  it  all  that  we  could  desire;  and  the  uni- 
versal testimony  was,  that  no  better  foundation  for  a 
building  could  be  found  anywhere. 

The  walls  rest  upon  a  coarse,  gravelly  bed,  which 
packs  into  a  solidity  by  a  pressure  bearing  upon  it. 
The  first  stone  was  laid  by  the  pastor  on  the  morn- 
ing of  June  9th,  1869,  at  the  northwest  corner  of  the 
foundation  walls.  The  season  was  remarkably  favor- 
able for  building,  and,  with  but  slight  interruptions, 
a  large  gang  of  masons  continued  their  work,  having 
the  walls  ready  for  the  reception  of  the  first  floor 
joists  in  the  beginning  of  July. 

It  had  been  arranu'ed  to  have  appropriate  services 
at  the  lavino;  of  the  Corner  Stone.     Invitations  were 


TEMPLE    PKESBYTERIAN  CHURCH.  83 

extended  to  many  of  the  friends  of  the  enterprise  to 
be  present ;  and,  through  the  papers,  the  public  was 
invited  to  meet  on  the  afternoon  of  July  8th,  1869, 
to  witness  the  ceremony, 

A  temporary  floor  had  been  laid  upon  the  first 
floor  joists,  and  near  the  southwest  corner  of  the 
building  a  canopy  had  been  raised,  under  which  seats 
were  arranged  for  clergymen  and  ladies. 

The  afternoon  was  excessively  warm ;  not  a  cloud 
softened  the  burning  rays  of  that  July  sun.  People 
chose  rather  to  be  within  doors,  yet,  notwithstand- 
ing the  heat,  a  large  crowd  gathered  to  witness  the 
ceremonies.  Many  clergymen,  representing  diflerent 
denominations,  took  seats  in  the  places  assigned 
them.  The  ladies,  in  large  numbers,  graced  the 
scene  with  their  presence  ;  and  either  standing  in  the 
crowd,  or  resting  on  extemporized  seats,  or  group- 
ing at  the  windows  of  houses  opposite,  were  people 
in  numbers  sufliicient  to  give  enthusiasm  to  the 
occasion. 

The  exercises  consisted  of  singing,  under  the  direc- 
tion of  Mr.  Joseph  F.  Jaggers ;  prayer ;  reading  of  the 
Scriptures ;  and  short  addresses  by  visiting  clergy- 
men. The  pastor  then  read  a  condensed  history  of 
the  church ;  after  which  he  placed  in  a  beautiful 
glass  casket  (made  expressly  for  this  occasion,  and 
presented  by  the  manufacturers,  Gillen'i:er  &  Ben- 
nett), a  copy  of  the  Bible  ;  Confession  of  Faith  ;  The 
American  Presbyterian  ;  The  Presbyterian  ;  copies  of 
all  our  city  daily  papers ;  a  set  of  proof  coins  (a  gift 


84  HISTORY  OP  THE 

from  Mr.  John  Campbell,  of  Manajunk);  the  history 
which  he  had  just  read,  and  the  names  of  the  church 
members.  The  casket  was  then  deposited  in  the  Cor- 
ner-Stone,  and  covered  with  a  large  stone  slab.  Then 
the  pastor  struck  the  stone  three  times  with  a  ma- 
son's mallet,  and  publicly  announced  the  Corner-Stone 
laid,  in  the  name  of  the  Father,  Son  and  Holy  Ghost. 
After  the  audience  had  sung  a  hymn,  they  were  dis- 
missed with  the  Apostolic  Benediction. 

The  Corner-Stone  was  laid  in  the  southwest  corner 
of  the  building  (on  a  line  with  the  first  floor  joists), 
in  the  tower,  immediately  behind  the  angle  formed 
by  the  two  buttresses  on  that  corner;  the  one 
facing  south  on  Thompson  street,  and  the  other 
facing  west  on  Franklin  street. 

The  history  read  on  this  occasion,  and  deposited  in 
the  Corner-Stone,  is  introduced  at  this  point.  For 
although  it  repeats  some  few  facts  already  recorded, 
it  presents  new  matter,  and  will  furnish  links  to 
what  might  otherwise  be  detached  history. 

HISTORY. 

"  The  corporate  title  of  this  church  is  '  The  Central 
Presbyterian  Church  in  the  I^orthern  Liberties.' 

"  The  original  limits  of  Philadelphia  were  the 
Delaware  and  Schuylkill  rivers,  east  and  west,  and 
Vine  and  Cedar  streets,  north  and  south. 

"  All  above  Vine  street  was  called  '  JS'orth  End,' 
and  below  Cedar  street,  '  South  End,'  or  '  Society 
Hill.'     With  the  o-rowth  of  society  in  these  sections, 


TEMPLE   PRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH.  85 

separate  municipalities  became  necessary,  and  the 
*  South  End '  became  the  municipality  of  '  South- 
wark,'  and  the  '  IN'orth  End '  the  municipality  of  the 
*l!Torthern  Liberties.'  The  district  of  the  ^N'orthern 
Liberties  was  incorporated  in  the  year  1803,  and  was 
not  consolidated  with  the  city  until  the  year  1854. 
At  the  time  of  its  incorporation  its  population  num- 
bered about  16,000,  and  at  the  time  of  its  consolida- 
tion about  60,000  inhabitants. 

"  During  the  latter  half  of  the  last  century  the 
spiritual  wants  of  the  people  living  above  the  city 
limits  awakened  the  concern  of  the  Second  Pres- 
byterian Church,  then  worshiping  at  the  corner  of 
Third  and  Arch  streets.  This  church  was  part  of 
the  fruits  of  the  great  revival  under  Whitefield's 
preaching,  and  was  characterized  for  its  zeal  to 
propagate  the  gospel.  It  still  survives  the  change 
of  years,  and  it  is  worthy  of  remark  that  but  about 
two  weeks  since,  the  congregation  of  the  Second 
Church  laid  the  Corner-Stone  for  a  new  church  edifice 
at  Twenty-first  and  Walnut  streets.  Dr.  Beadle  is 
the  present  pastor. 

''  Rev.  Dr.  Sproat,  who  succeeded  Rev.  Gilbert 
Tennent,  D.D.,  the  first  pastor  of  the  Second  Church, 
instituted  religious  services  in  a  small  house  at  the 
northeast  corner  of  St.  John  and  Coates  streets.  The 
Revolutionary  war  interrupted  these  services;  but 
soon  after  its  close,  Dr.  Ashbel  Green,  afterwards 
President  of  Princeton  College,  becoming  a  colleague 
of  Dr.   Sproat,   united   with   him   in   methodically 

6 


86  HISTORY    OF   THE 

carrying  on  the  services  which  had  heen  interrupted. 
At  length  the  growth  of  the  congregation  demanded 
the  building  of  a  church  edifice.  Mr.  Wm.  Coates, 
a  large  land  owner,  made  donation  of  the  lot  on  the 
northwest  corner  of  Second  and  Coates  streets,  then 
open  ground,  and,  as  was  thought,  too  remote  from 
the  city  to  be  ever  disturbed  by  the  march  of  busi- 
ness. The  moneys  needed  to  erect  the  building  were 
secured  by  honest  begging,  and  the  building  finished 
and  opened  April  7th,  1805. 

"Religious  worship  was  held  statedly  for  eight 
years,  when  the  growth  of  the  community  and  wants 
of  the  congregation  demanded  the  settlement  of  a 
pastor. 

"  A  church  was  now  duly  organized,  known  as  the 
First  Presbyterian  Church,  ^Northern  Liberties,  and 
E,ev.  James  Patterson  elected  its  pastor.  He  was 
elected  September  27th,  1813,  and  duly  installed  on 
Tuesday,  January  11th,  1814. 

"  The  labors  of  Mr.  Patterson  were  abundantly 
blessed.  He  inaugurated  new  measures  to  win  souls 
to  Christ ;  he  preached  Christ  in  the  pulpit  and  out 
of  the  pulpit,  in  the  church  and  on  the  commons  ;  he 
visited  much,  and  sent  all  his  members  to  visit  the 
sick  and  distressed.  He  organized  the  first  Sabbath 
School ;  he  educated  young  men  for  the  ministry, 
and  labored  in  every  way  for  the  salvation  of  men. 
He  saw  the  number  of  his  communicants  rise  from 
52  to  1,100;  and  in  the  twenty-three  years  of  his  pas- 
torate in  this  church  60  young  men  were  introduced 


TEMPLE    PRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH.  87 

into  the  ministry  ;  1,700  persons  were  received  into 
the  church ;  thousands  of  children  instructed  gratui- 
tously in  Sunday  Schools ;  tens  of  thousands  of  im- 
mortal ones  warned,  counseled,  exhorted,  entreated, 
in  the  fields,  in  the  streets,  and  in  the  place  of 
prayer. 

"  In  the  spring  of  1829,  it  was  concluded  to  sell 
the  old  church  huilding  at  Second  and  Coates  streets, 
and  move  into  a  westward  location.  This  was  because 
of  the  encroachments  of  business,  and  the  increasing 
demands  of  another  locality. 

"  After  the  usual  trials  attending  such  a  move- 
ment, the  First  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  !N^orthern 
Liberties  disappeared  from  the  corner  of  Second  and 
Coates  street,  but  appeared  again  in  Buttonwood 
street,  below  Sixth,  where  the  new  church  building 
was  opened  May  12th,  1833. 

"  Its  history  has  been  grand  ever  since,  and  to-day 
it  is  doing  a  noble  work  for  God  under  the  pastoral 
care  of  Rev.  T.  J.  Shepherd,  D.D. 

"  At  the  time  the  moving  the  old  church  was  first 
agitated,  it  had  more  than  a  thousand  members,  and 
it  is  not  to  be  wondered  at  that  Christian  men  should 
diifer  as  to  the  best  location  of  a  new  edifice.  Men 
did  difter,  and  that  difference  was  the  origin  of  the 
North  Presbyterian  Church,  now  standing  in  Sixth 
street,  above  Green,  and  of  the  Central  Presbyterian 
Church,  JS".  L.,  now  in  Coates  street,  below  Fourth, 
but  which  to-day  lays  the  Corner-Stone  of  a  new  edi- 
fice on  this  spot. 


88  HISTORY    OF   THE 

"  Differing  from  their  brethren  on  the  question 
of  church  site,  and  believing  they  had  an  inde- 
pendent work  to  do  for  their  Master,  they  with- 
drew from  the  parent  church,  and  denominating 
themselves  '  The  Central  Presbvterian  Church  in  the 
!N'orthern  Liberties,'  they  worshiped  for  a  time  in  a 
school-room  on  Poplar  street,  above  Second,  looking, 
however,  to  the  speedy  erection  of  a  church  edifice 
on  Coates  street,  below  Fourth.  This  building,  com- 
menced in  1835,  was  not  occupied  until  the  year 
1836. 

"  During  the  time  of  its  building,  the  congregation, 
having  left  the  school-room  in  Poplar  street,  wor- 
shiped in  the  old  Commissioners'  Hall,  in  Third 
street,  below  Green.  Here  it  was  that  on  the  24th 
day  of  June,  1835,  agreeably  to  the  Form  of  Govern- 
ment of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  21  persons  were 
organized  into  a  church.  Of  these  21,  six  still  live, 
viz. :  Hannah  R.  Xaglee,  Margaret  Stewart,  Joseph 
Aitken,  Charles  C.  Aitken,  Joseph  Pond,  and  Catha- 
rine Pond — the  three  first  named  being  still  in  the 
communion  of  the  church.  At  the  time  of  the  or- 
ganization of  the  church,  Rev.  John  McDowell,  D.D., 
and  Rev.  Cornelius  C.  Cuyler,  D.D.,  by  invitation, 
attended.  Dr.  McDowell  presided,  and  opened  the 
meeting  with  prayer.  After  the  usual  form  of  ques- 
tions was  proposed  to  the  persons  thus  presenting 
themselves,  they  proceeded  to  elect,  by  ballot,  three 
individuals  to  be  ruling  elders,  when  Mr.  Charles 
Elliot,  Mr.  Benjamin  Xaglee,and  Mr.  John  A.Stewart, 


TEMPLE    PRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH.  89 

were  unanimously  elected.  The  elders  elect  were 
then  set  apart  to  the  office  of  ruling  elders  in  this 
church. 

"  The  constitutional  questions  were  proposed  to 
the  elders,  and  to  the  members,  by  Dr.  McDowell, 
and  were  answered  in  the  affirmative,  which  was  fol- 
lowed with  prayer  by  Dr.  Cuyler.  It  was  then 
declared  that  the  church  under  the  name  of  the  Cen- 
tral Presbyterian  Church,  'N.  L.,  was  duly  organized. 
This  was  followed  with  an  address  to  the  elders  by 
Dr.  McDowell,  and  to  the  church  by  Dr.  Cuyler. 
The  solemn  services  of  the  evening  were  then  con- 
cluded with  the  benediction. 

"On  the  29th  of  June,  1835,  this  infant  church 
elected  their  first  pastor,  Rev.  Wm.  H.  Burroughs, 
of  'New  Providence,  N.  J.  Mr.  Burroughs  soon  after 
accepted  the  call,  and  was  installed  over  the  church 
and  congregation,  by  the  Second  Presbytery  of  Phila- 
delphia, on  the  evening  of  August  24th,  1835.  The 
services  were  held  in  the  First  Presbyterian  Church, 
N.  L.,  by  invitation  from  the  pastor.  Rev.  James 
Patterson. 

"  The  Sacrament  of  the  Lord's  Supper  was,  for  the 
first  time,  administered  in  this  infant  church  July 
12th,  1836. 

"The  labors  of  Mr.  Burroughs  in  his  pastoral 
charge  were  of  short  duration.  Disease  invaded  his 
system  and  laid  him  aside,  and  soon  brought  him  to. 
his  grave.  There  was  a  strong  mutual  attachment 
between  Mr.  B.  and  the  people  of  his  charge.     He 


90  HISTORY    OF    THE 

died  at  IS'ewark,  K  J.,  July  29th,  1836,  in  the  36th 
year  of  his  age,  greatly  heloved  and  deeply  lamented. 

"  On  the  23d  of  August,  1836,  a  congregational 
meeting  was  held  for  the  purpose  of  electing  a  suc- 
cessor to  till  the  place  of  Mr.  Burroughs.  Rev. 
Thomas  A.  J.  Mines  was  unanimously  elected.  Mr. 
Mines  accepted  the  call,  and  was  installed  the  Sep- 
tember following.  He  sustained  the  pastoral  relation 
for  a  very  short  period.  At  the  expiration  of  two 
months  he  expressed  a  desire,  in  consequence  of  a 
feeble  state  of  health,  that  his  pastoral  relation  be 
dissolved.  The  Presbytery  agreed  to  his  dismission 
Mr.  Mines  continued  in  a  weak  and  declining  state 
till  the  20th  of  January,  1838,  when  he  was  released 
from  his  earthly  labors. 

''*'  For  several  weeks  subsequent  to  Mr.  Mines'  dis- 
mission, this  church  did  not  enjoy  the  labors  of  a 
pastor ;  they  depended  on  supplies  as  they  were  able 
to  secure  them. 

"On  the  23d  of  October,  1837,  the  Rev.  Anson 
Rood,  of  Danbury,  Conn.,  was  unanimously  elected 
pastor.  Mr.  Rood,  having  accepted  the  call,  was 
installed  December  15th,  1837.  The  Rev.  Eliakim 
Phelps  presided,  and  proposed  the  constitutional 
questions.  Rev.  John  L.  Grant  preached  the  sermon. 
Rev.  George  Chandler  gave  the  charge  to  the  pastor, 
and  Rev.  Albert  Barnes  the  charge  to  the  people. 
Mr.  Rood  continued  the  pastor  of  the  church  for 
eleven  years  and  three  months,  resigning  March  5th, 
1849,  on  account  of  his  health,  which,  by  reason  of 


TEMPLE    PRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH.  91 

his  labors,  had  been  greatly  impaired.  His  ministry 
was  greatly  blessed.  Large  congregations  attended 
his  services.  He  multiplied  these  services  for  the 
good  of  souls.  He  had  added  to  his  eldership  Mr. 
Isaac  Ashmead,  elected  October  13th,  1840 ;  also, 
Messrs.  Samuel  T.  Bodine  and  William  T.  Donald- 
son, who  were  elected  May  8th,  1843,  and  ordained 
June  19th  of  the  same  year.  Frequent  were  the 
revivals  in  the  church,  and  its  membership  was  more 
than  fourfold  increased  during  his  ministry.  His 
health  continued  to  fail  after  his  retirement  from  the 
active  work  of  the  ministry,  and  he  died  in  the  Lord, 
ISTovember  27th,  1857. 

"  A  period  of  thirteen  months  elapsed,  after  the 
resignation  of  Mr.  Rood,  before  another  pastor  was 
called  and  installed.  On  January  4th,  1850,  Rev. 
James  P.  Wilson,  D.D.,  then  President  of  Delaware 
College,  was  elected  pastor,  and  in  April  of  the  same 
year  he  was  installed  pastor  in  the  presence  of  a  very 
large  congregation. 

"  Rev.  Joel  Parker,  D.D.,  presided,  and  proposed  the 
constitutional  questions;  Rev.  Dr.  Gilbert  preached 
the  sermon  ;  Rev.  Albert  Barnes  delivered  the  charge 
to  the  pastor,  and  Rev.  Robert  Adair  the  charge  to 
the  people. 

"The  pastoral  relation  of  Dr.  Wilson  with  his 
people  continued  but  about  fifteen  months,  when  he 
resigned  to  accept  the  Professorship  of  Systematic 
Theology  in  Union  Theological  Seminary,  'New  York. 
After  serving  in  that  position  for  some  time,  he 


92  HISTORY   OF   THE 

resigned  to  become  pastor  of  a  church  in  ITewark, 
N.  J.,  where  he  still  resides,  in  the  midst  of  an  ad- 
miring and  devoted  people.  His  resignation  as  pas- 
tor of  this  church  took  place  April  8th,  1851. 

"  About  seven  months  elapsed,  when,  on  November 
17th,  1851,  Rev.  George  Duffield,  Jr.,  was  elected 
pastor,  and  on  May  13th,  1852,  was  duly  installed. 
Dr.  Grilbert  presided,  and  proposed  the  constitutional 
questions ;  Dr.  James  P.  Wilson,  former  pastor, 
preached  the  sermon ;  Kev.  George  Duffield,  Sr., 
D.D.,  of  Detroit,  delivered  the  charge  to  the  pastor; 
and  Rev.  W.  W.  Taylor  the  charge  to  the  people. 

"  Mr.  Duffield  continued  pastor  of  the  church  for 
more  than  nine  years.  During  this  time  he  was  the 
witness  of  many  revivals,  and  was  fully  assured  that 
his  faithful  preaching  of  the  gospel  was  accompanied 
with  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  His  soul  con- 
tinually yearned  for  the  salvation  of  men.  He  had 
added  to  his  eldership  Messrs.  B.  D.  Stewart,  Wm. 
Sanderson,  H.  H.  Shillingford,  and  G.  C.  Bower,  who^ 
were  elected  and  ordained  to  office  in  April,  1855. 
His  resignation  took  place  in  the  summer  of  1861, 
when  he  accepted  a  call  to  the  Presbyterian  Church 
of  Adrian,  Mich  ,  from  which  he  afterwards  went  to 
become  the  pastor  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  of 
Galesburg,  111.,  where  he  still  labors,  being  blessed 
and  blessing  others. 

*'  Several  months  elapsed  before  another  pastor  was 
called.  On  the  11th  day  of  June,  1862,  the  congre- 
gation elected  Rev.  James  Young  Mitchell,  then  of 


TEMPLE   PRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH.  93 

IsTewton  Presbytery,  N.  J.  On  October  26th  follow- 
ing, he  was  installed  as  pastor  of  the  church.  Rev. 
T.  J.  Shepherd,  D.D.,  presided,  and  proposed  the  con- 
stitutional questions,  and  delivered  the  charge  to  the 
pastor.  Rev.  Dr.  Brainerd  preached  the  sermon, 
and  Rev.  E.  E.  Adams,  D.D.,  delivered  the  charge  to 
the  people.  Up  to  the  present  time,  for  more  than 
seven  years,  he  continues  the  pastor.  He  moves  with 
his  people  in  this  movement,  hoping,  trusting,  pray- 
ing, that  God  will  give  it  success.  He  has  added  to 
his  eldership  Messrs.  Joseph  Aitken,  James  ISTeely, 
and  Abner  Lincoln,  who  were  elected  and  ordained 
to  office  in  October,  1866.  He  has  had  many  occa- 
sions to  thank  God  for  the  outpouring  of  his  Holy 
Spirit  upon  his  congregation,  and  for  adding  to  the 
church  a  goodly  number  of  such  as  shall  be  saved. 
With  thankful  heart  we  record  the  fact  that  in  the 
spring  of  1863  the  last  of  the  debt  upon  the  old 
church  building  ($7,500)  was  removed. 

"  The  old  Central  Church  has  done  much  for  the 
cause  of  Christ ;  and  though,  because  of  removals  to 
other  sections  of  the  city,  it  has  lost  many  of  its  once 
active  members,  these  have  not  been  lost  to  Christ. 
Many,  if  not  most  of  our  churches  in  the  city  are 
now  enjoying  the  benefits  of  faithful  workmen,  who 
first  began  to  work  for  Christ  in  this  old  church. 
Though  much  of  her  former  glory  has  departed  for 
the  present,  we  rejoice  to  believe  that  the  day  is  not 
far  distant  when  it  will  return  again.  Her  existence 
has  not  been  in  vain.     Her  history  is  a  history  of 


94  HISTORY   OF  THE 

revivals,  of  large  benevolence,  and  of  continued  labors 
for  Christ. 

"  The  present  movement  of  our  church  has  long 
been  contemplated.  For  many  years  we  have  suffered 
much  because  of  our  people  moving  farther  north  and 
west.  Our  church  was  growing  weaker  every  year. 
This  was  said  fifteen  years  ago.  The  community 
which  we  now  occupy  is  largely  German.  It  is  be- 
coming more  and  more  so  every  year.  The  material 
to  support  our  church,  or  to  attend  it,  is  not  in  the 
neighborhood.  We  are  solicitous  for  this  Zion.  It 
has  a  grand  history.  In  other  days  she  laid  her 
treasures  at  the  Saviour's  feet.  She  has  largely 
helped  to  build  new  churches,  and  to  support  feeble 
ones.  INTo  object  of  Christian  obligation,  love  or 
charity  did  she  overlook.  Multitudes  have  been 
saved  through  her  instrumentality — multitudes  who 
have  gone  up  out  of  her  to  heaven  now  swell  that 
great  cloud  of  witnesses  which  to-day  encompasses 
us ;  and  multitudes  more  who  still  linger  in  this 
world,  pillars  in  the  church  of  God  elsewhere,  proudly 
call  it  their  spiritual  birth-place.  We  have  glad- 
dened their  hearts,  we  have  gladdened  our  own,  in 
the  transfer  of  the  old  edifice  in  Coates  street  to 
German  Reformed  Salem  Church.  That  old  build- 
ing, where  tears  of  repentance  and  tears  of  spiri- 
tual joy  have  been  shed,  where  sinners  have  been 
born  again  and  saints  been  gladdened,  where  the 
waters  of  baptism  have  been  sprinkled  and  the 
communion   table  spread — is  not  lost  to  the  cause 


TEMPLE    PRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH.  95 

of  .God.  It  is  still  to  echo  the  praises  of  our 
Saviour. 

"  We  come  to  this  spot.  We  come  to  be  more 
central  to  our  own  people.  We  come  to  offer  fur- 
ther church  accommodations  to  this  rapidly  growing 
neighborhood.  We  come  to  preach  Christ  and  Him 
crucified.  We  lay  the  Corner-Stone  of  this  new 
church  edifice  to  day.  Soon  the  last  stone  will  be 
placed,  the  last  arch  sprung,  the  last  beam  adjusted. 

"  When  this  is  done,  may  we  say  it  is  well  done  1 
May  God  say  it  is  well  done.  May  the  history  and 
hallowed  associations  of  our  time  honored  church  be 
perpetuated,  and  when  in  eternity  it  is  remembered, 
of  many  may  it  be  said— They  were  born  there." 

"  God  grant  it. — Amen." 

The  months  which  followed  the  laying  of  the  Cor- 
ner-Stone, were  months  of  considerable  anxiety.  To 
the  credit  of  the  German  committee,  we  record  with 
pleasure  the  promptness  with  which  they  made  every 
payment  upon  the  old  church  property  as  it  matured. 
But,  the  whole  amount  which  they  owed  fell  far 
short  of  the  $52,200,  the  amount  due  Mr.  Robert 
Scott,  upon  the  contract  for  building  our  new  church. 
Our  con2:re2:ation  althousi-h  doins;  well,  could  not  be 
expected  with  their  small  numbers  and  limited 
means,  to  give  as  the  necessities  of  the  case  re- 
quired. 

The  building  committee  held  many  anxious  meet- 
ings.    It  was  often  felt  that  the  work  must  cease  for 


96  HISTORY    OF   THE 

want  of  funds.  Not  only  were  there  anxious  da}^, 
but  sleepless  nights.  There  was  begging  and  bor- 
rowing. It  mattered  very  little,  whether  there  was 
pouring  rain  or  burning  sun,  the  burden  of  running 
the  streets  soliciting  subscriptions  and  contributions, 
had  to  be  borne.  Ofttimes  after  the  greatest  labor  of 
this  kind,  there  was  very  little  to  comfort. 

At  the  time  the  committee  of  the  "  Pastors' 
Association,"  made  their  report  as  previously  given, 
we  had  hoped  to  realize  from  the  community,  an 
amount,  which  added  to  our  own  contributions,  and 
the  proceeds  of  the  sale  of  our  old  property,  would 
be  amply  sufficient  to  establish  our  congregation  in 
the  Lecture  Room  of  our  new  church  free  from  debt. 
In  this  we  were  disappointed. 

Growing  out  of  the  action  of  the  "  Pastors'  Asso- 
ciation," there  was  a  meeting  of  prominent  Presby- 
terian laymen  called  to  meet  in  the  Lecture  Room  of 
the  First  Presbyterian  Church,  Philadelphia,  on 
Washington  Square.  At  that  meeting,  the  tinancial 
condition  of  several  of  our  churches  was  considered, 
and  a  committee  consisting  of  Hon.  W.  Strong,  W. 
E.  Tenbrook,  Thomas  Potter,  Alexander  AVhilden 
and  John  C.  Farr,  was  appointed  to  examine  the 
matter  still  further,  and  report  at  a  subsequent  meet- 
ing. This  committee  afterwards  reported,  recom- 
mending the  raising  of  8105,000  to  assist  or  relieve 
certain  churches,  which  had  recently  been  finished, 
or  were  in  process  of  erection.  Of  this  amount  our 
own  church  was  recommended  for  $25,000.    The  other 


TEMPLE   PRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH.  97 

churches  at  the  time  the  committee  reported,  were 
more  pressed  for  money  immediately,  than  our  own. 
Hence,  of  the  first  contributions  made  to  the  fund 
named,  the  committee  handed  over  pro  rata,  to  the 
most  needy  at  the  time. 

The  whole  amount  of  that  fund  was  never  raised. 
Many  of  the  subscriptions  were  canceled,  because 
the  subscribers  had  given  their  names  on  condition 
that  the  whole  amount  be  raised,  and  others  of  the 
subscribers  donated  their  individual  subscriptions 
according  to  their  preferences. 

One  cause  which  cooled  the  ardor  of  the  commit- 
tee and  the  Presbyterian  public,  in  the  matter  of 
raising  the  whole  amount,  was  the  agitation  of  the 
"  Reunion  of  the  two  branches  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church." 

This  subject  had  been  for  so  long  a  time  discussed 
in  church  Journals,  in  Presbyteries,  Synods  and  Gene- 
ral Assemblies,  that  it  was  a  foregone  conclusion  it 
must  take  place.  It  was  actually  accomplished  at 
Pittsburgh  in  1869. 

In  the  efibrts  of  the  committee  to  make  up  the 
fund  of  $105,000,  they  found  many  who  hesitated 
because  they  believed  that  upon  the  "  Reunion  "  an 
effort  would  be  made  to  liquidate  the  debts  of  all  the 
churches.  The  committee,  because  of  this  public 
sentiment,  measurably  failed  in  their  effort  to  relieve 
the  "  !N^ew  School "  churches. 

It  was  not  anticipated  at  that  time  that  a  "  Re- 
united Church"  would  be  called  upon  to  do  such 

7 


98  HISTORY   OF   THE 

great  things  in  the  way  of  huilding  a  large  Pre,shy- 
terian  house,  a  hospital,  a  home  for  widows  and 
single  women,  and  that  the  demands  would  be  heavj 
upon  the  people,  for  other  interests  than  those  of  in- 
dividual churches. 

The  work  of  the  committee,  however,  was  not  lost 
altogether.  The  churches  which  they  undertook  to 
relieve,  while  they  did  not  get  what  they  expected  and 
relied  upon,  received  in  part ;  our  own  church  getting 
$12,850. 

This  amount  was  not  actually  collected  and  handed 
over  to  our  treasurer  by  the  committee.  It  required 
personal  effort  to  secure  it.  The  names  of  the  sub- 
scribers on  the  books  of  the  committee  were  given  to 
the  pastor,  and  either  he,  or  some  member  of  the 
Building  Committee,  had  to  call  upon  the  parties  to 
obtain  the  amount  of  their  subscriptions.  Often- 
times the  effort  was  as  trying  as  the  getting  of  a  new 
contribution. 

^e  cannot  but  remember,  in  this  connection,  our 
indebtedness  to  Messrs.  AVm.  E.  Tenbrook,  B.  D. 
Stewart.  Thomas  Potter,  Alexander  ^Taildin.  and 
F.  L.  Bodine  (all  of  whom  were  either  membet^  of 
the  committee  or  contributors  to  the  fund ),  for  the 
interest  they  manifested  in  our  work.  To  them 
chiefly  we  are  indebted  for  the  amount  which  we 
have  received  from  this  source. 

Notwithstanding  the  trials  attendant  upon  raising 
the  means  needed  to  prosecute  our  work,  we  expe- 
rienced  no  cf^nsideral^lf^  d^lnv.     Loans  =iu-fficient  to 


TEMPLE   PKBSBTTERIAN   CHURCH.  99 

bridge  over  seasons  of  necessity  were  from  time  to 
time  secured.  Mr.  Abner  Lincoln,  as  the  records 
show,  assisted  very  much  in  this  direction,  and  to 
him  the  church  has  been,  and  is  still,  greatly  in- 
debted. 

The  builders  made  good  use  of  a  remarkably  fine 
summer  and  fall  for  building. 

Scarcely  a  working  day  was  interrupted  by  rain ; 
and  so  favorable  was  the  season  that  the  roof  of  the 
building  was  completed  on  December  28th,  1869, 
and  the  tower  topped  out  January  4th,  1870. 

The  work  on  the  inside  went  on  briskly,  with  the 
exception  of  about  two  weeks  in  the  latter  part  of 
February.  An  agent  of  the  contractor  questioned 
with  the  Building  Committee  concerning  a  payment 
which  he  regarded  as  already  due  him.  The  com- 
mittee dift'ered  with  him ;  and  pending  the  dispute, 
work  was  suspended.  The  matter  was  amicably  ad- 
justed in  a  short  time,  and  the  work  went  on. 

According  to  the  terms  arranged  in  the  sale  of  the 
"old  property,"  our  congregation  was  required, upon 
the  equalization  of  the  payments  then  agreed  upon, 
to  give  possession  to  the  German  church  on  October 
1st,  1869.  Did  the}^  not  require  possession  at  that 
time,  it  was  arranged  that  our  congregation  should 
retain  possession  until  Mareh  1st,  1870,  upon  paying 
the  interest  upon  the  purchase-money  from  October 
1st,  1869  until  March  1st,  1870.  It  was  afterwards 
found  that  our  Lecture  Room  in  the  new  building 
w<»iiJd  IV  f  1  o  rordy  until  ]iifer  than  Maix»h  ;  and  b^' 


100  HISTORY   OF   THB 

an  arrangement  with  the  German  church,  we  kept 
possession  of  the  "Old  Building"  until  April  11th, 
1870,  we  paving  interest  upon  the  money  received  up 
to  that  time. 

As  it  grew  near  the  time  of  leaving  the  "  Old 
Church,"  it  was  thought  advisable  to  have  a  reunion 
of  the  present  and  former  members.  To  this  end  the 
following  circular  was  issued  : 

"invitation. 


"  Central  Presbyterian  Churchy  {N.  L.) 

Co*te3  Street,  below  Fourth. 


"You  are  affectionately  invited  to  attend  a  Reunion 
of  the  present  and  former  members  of  the  Central 
Presbyterian  (X.  L.)  Church  and  congregation,  to  be 
held  in  the  church,  Coates  street,  below  Fourth,  on 
Thursday  evening,  March  10th,  at  a  quarter  before  8 
o'clock. 

"This  meeting,  earnestly  desired  by  many  of  the 
former  members,  and  looked  forward  to  with  interest 
by  those  still  in  the  church,  will  afford  the  only  op- 
portunity we  shall  ever  have  of  thus  visiting  the 
'  Old  Church  Building,'  so  dear  to  us  all  because  of 
Bweet  communions,  holy  joys  and  happy  associations 
enjoyed  within  its  walls. 

"As  a  church,  we  will  hereafter  remember  the  days 
of  the  past  in  our  new  church  ediiice  (now  approach- 


TEMPLE   PRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH.  101 

ing  completion)  at  the  northeast  corner  of  Franklin 
and  Thompson  streets. 

"  Let  us  come  together,  then,  and,  in  parting  at  the 
spot  where  we  have  often  before  so  gladly  met,  may 
we  congratulate  each  other,  and  render  thanksgiving 
to  Grod  because  the  '  Old  Building,'  in  passing  from 
us,  passes  into  the  hands  of  the  '  Salem  German 
Reformed  (German)  Congregation,'  which  will  con- 
tinue to  hold  it  as  a  place  '  where  God's  honor 
dwelleth,' 

James  Y,  Mitchell,  Pastor, 
Wm.  Sanderson,  Sr.,  ) 
Joseph  Aitken,  ^  Elders, 

Abner  Lincoln,  ) 

Cominittee, 

Post  Office  Address  of  Pastor,  No.  1003  North  Fifth  street  " 

This  meeting  was  held,  and  quite  a  large  number 
attended.  The  pastor  presided.  We  had  a  season 
of  prayer,  singing,  and  reading  of  the  Scriptures. 
After  this,  letters  were  read  from  Rev.  Dr.  James  P, 
Wilson,  a  former  pastor,  and  several  of  the  former 
members,  who  were  unable  to  attend. 

Pleasant  reminiscences  of  other  days  were  then 
recounted  by  Messrs,  B.  1).  Stewart,  Henry  Davis, 
G.  W.  Grice,  Duffield  Ashmead,  Rev.  S.  W.  Duffield, 
and  others ;  after  which  all  joined  heartily  in  sing- 
ing the  hymn, 

"Blest  be  the  tie  that  binds."  &c 

when  the  meeting  was  closed  with  the  benediction 
hj  the  pastor.       ^ 


ii 


property  on  April  llth,  1«70.  This  was  three 
before  our  Lecture  Room  was  ready  for  occu 
During  these  three  weeks  our  people  visited 
churches — watching  daily,  however,  for  the  ann 
ment  in  the  daily  papers  of  the  time  whc 
*•  opening  exercises"  would  take  place  in  tl: 
edifice. 

Everything  being  in  complete  readiness,  due 
was  given  in  all  the  city  papers  on  Saturda;^ 
7th,  1870,  that  the  opening  exercises  in  the  I 
Room  would  take  place  on  Sabbath,  May  8th. 
lar  notice  was  given  through  the  American  F 
rian,  our  denominational  paper. 

The  building  committee  had  also  prepared 
folding  card,  to  be  sent  to  individuals  who  h 
friended  us,  as  well  as  for  general  distribution 
neighborhood  of  the  church. 

On  the  first  page  of  this  card  was  given  the : 
ing  "  Order  of  Exercises :" 


Sunday^  May  8th, 

SERMONS   BY 

Rev.  Peter  Stryker,  D.D.,  Pastor  of  IN'orth 
Street  Presbyterian  Church,     .     .     .     IC 

Rev.  Z,  M.  Humphrey,  D.D.,  Pastor  of  Calvar 
byterian  Church, I 

Rev.  H.  C.  McCook,  D.D.,  Pastor  of  Seventh  1 

terian  Church, 

Opening  of  Sabbath  School  at  2  p.  m. 


TEMPLE   PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH.  103 

Monday^  May  9lL 

UNION   MEETING. 

To  be  addressed  by  several  neighboring  pastors. 


SERMONS, 

Tuesday,  May  10th,  at  8  P.  M, 

Rev.  Herrick  Johnson,  D.D.,  Pastor  of  First  Pres- 
byterian Church. 

Wednesday,  May  11th,  at  8  P.  M, 

Hev.  R.  H.  Allen, D.D.,  Pastor  of  "  Old  Pine  Street" 

Presbyterian  Church. 

Thursday,  May  mh,  at  8  P,  M. 

Rev.  E.  R.  Beadle,  D.D.,  Pastor  of  Second  Presby- 
terian Church. 

Friday,  May  13th,  at  8  P,  M. 
Rev.  T.  X  Orr,  Pastor  of  First  Reformed  Church. 

Sunday,  May  16th,  <it  10^  A.  M 

sermon  by 

Rev.  R.  H,  Allen,  D.D,, 

And  Administration  of  the  Sacrament  of  the  Lord's 

Supper, 

At  8  P.M. 
Sermon  by  the  Pastor. 


104  HISTORY   OF  THE 

On  the  second  page  of  the  card  was  printed  the 
following : 

"  The  Lecture  Room  of  the  Central  Presbyterian 
Church,  K.  L,,  just  completed,  at  the  northeast  cor- 
ner of  Franklin  and  Thompson  streets,  will  be  opened 
with  appropriate  exercises,  commencing  Sabbath,  May 
8th,  1870.    You  are  cordially  invited  to  be  present. 

Jas.  Y.  Mitchell,  Pastor." 

There  was  the  simplicity  of  Presbyterian  worship 
maintained  at  all  these  services.  The  Trustees  had 
procured  the  services  of  Mr.  Joseph  F.  Jaggers,  to 
lead  the  singing,  and  he  conducted  it  after  the  man- 
ner of  the  Precentor  in  the  Church  of  Scotland.  It 
was  in  this  way  that  the  singing  was  conducted  at 
the  time  the  church  was  opened  in  Coates  street. 
Then  it  was  under  the  leadership  of  Mr.  Josiah  P. 
White,  who  continues  his  membership  with  the 
church  until  the  present  time. 

The  morning  of  May  8th  was  beautiful.  It  ap- 
peared as  though  God  had  favored  us  with  just  such 
a  day  as  that  for  which  all  had  been  wishing.  It  was 
what  might  have  been  denominated  "  a  lovely  Sabbath 
morning  in  spring."  The  Lecture  Room  was  crowded 
with  worshipers,  and  all  were  pleased  with  the 
exercises.   ■ 

About  the  close  of  the  morning  services,  clouds 
began  to  gather  in  the  sky ;  the  winds  rose,  and 
there  were  many  fears  that  a  heav^y  rain  would  inter- 


TEMPLE    PRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH.  105 

fere  with  the  balance  of  the  day's  programme.  In  a 
measure,  our  fears  became  a  reality.  Raui  began  to 
fall  a  little  while  after  noon ;  and  when  the  time 
arrived  for  the  gathering  of  the  Sabbath  School 
scholars,  there  was  not  only  rain,  but  there  burst 
upon  the  city  the  most  terrible  and  destructive  hail- 
storm ever  known  in  our  country.  The  stones  were 
of  an  immense  size,  and  were  driven  by  a  high  wind 
with  such  velocity,  that  protection  was  sought  for 
by  man  and  beast.  So  suddenly  did  it  begin,  and 
with  such  force  did  it  continue,  that  persons  in  their 
homes  had  not  time,  nor  dared  they  venture,  to  close 
even  the  shutters,  to  protect  the  glass  in  their  win- 
dows. This  storm,  in  its  fury,  continued  for  at  least 
half  an  hour ;  and  when  it  ended,  there  was  scarcely 
a  house  which  had  not  its  broken  window-panes. 
Some  church  windows  were  literally  riddled.  The 
number  of  window-lights  broken  was  calculated,  in 
some  of  the  papers  published  the  next  day,  at  hun- 
dreds of  thousands,  and  by  others  at  millions.  The 
Lord  saved  our  church,  as  two  or  three  small  pieces 
of  glass  in  the  borders  of  the  windows  were  all  that 
were  broken. 

The  storm,  which  began  suddenly,  passed  away 
suddenly.  When  its  strength  was  wasted,  the  sun 
shone  forth ;  and  although  the  opening  of  the  Sab- 
bath School  was  interfered  with  for  a  time,  we  got 
together  at  last,  and  spent  a  short  season  with  the 
children  in  pleasant  and  profitable  opening  exercises, 
directed  by  Mr.  Robert  Aitken,  superintendent.    The 


106  HISTORY    OF    THE 

remaining  parts  of  the  programme  were  gone  through 
with  according  to  the  announcement,  with  but  one 
exception.  It  was  impossible  for  Dr.  Allen  to  preach 
the  sermon  on  Sabbath,  May  15th,  and  the  pastor 
took  his  place. 

At  the  Union  Meeting,  on  Monday,  the  9th,  ad- 
dresses were  made  by  Eev.  D.  E.  Klopp,  pastor  of 
Trinity  Reformed  Church  ;  Rev.  Wm.  0.  Johnstone, 
pastor  of  Kensington  Presbyterian  Church ;  Rev.  J. 
F.  Kennard,  pastor  of  the  Tenth  Baptist  Church ; 
and  by  the  pastor.  All  the  meetings  were  quite  well 
attended,  notwithstanding  rains  prevailed  every  eve- 
ning during  the  week,  with  the  exception  of  Friday 
evening.  Collections  were  taken  up  at  every  ser- 
vice, and  in  the  aggregate  amounted  to  $2,880.29, 
which  sum  was  used  to  meet,  in  part,  the  expenses 
incurred  in  the  building. 


IX. 

FROM    THE    "lecture   ROOM "    TO    THE   "MAIN  AUDIENCE 

ROOM." 

The  work  done  up  to  the  time  of  the  completion 
of  the  Lecture  Room  was  in  perfect  accordance  with 
the  original  design  of  the  architect,  as  accepted  and 
approved  by  the  Building  Committee,  with  but 
slight  alterations  and  additions. 

To  avoid  the  annoyance  attendant  upon  outside 


TEMPLE    PRESBYTERIAN    CHURCH.  107 

drainage  from  the  roof  during  seasons  of  rain  or 
snow,  the  committee,  at  an  additional  expense  of 
$275,  had  iron  conductors  to  pass  on  the  inside  of 
the  stone  walls,  from  the  roof  to  the  cellar,  where 
they  were  connected  with  terra-cotta  pipes,  laid 
under  the  cellar  floor,  and  through  these  all  the  water 
was  conveyed  into  the  sewer  on  Thompson  street. 
The  separation  between  the  Lecture  Room  and  the 
Infant  Sunday  School  Room  was  to  be  by  sash,  hung 
with  weights  and  pulleys.  A  mistake  on  the  part 
of  the  carpenter  made  them  to  swing  on  hinges. 
The  committee,  however,  believing  them  to  be  satis- 
factory in  this  way,  allowed  them  to  remain  the 
carpenter  paying  the  difference  in  the  cost.  The 
space  now  occupied  by  the  library  room,  together 
with  the  vestibule  leading  thereto,  were, by  the  Archi- 
tect's plan,  intended  to  be  a  part  of  the  Bible  Class 
and  Trustees'  room.  Believing  that  a  room  sepa- 
rated from  the  main  room  would  be  better  for  the 
Librarian's  work,  they  had  the  plan  changed  to 
what  it  now  is. 

Three  feet  were  also  taken  from  the  north  end  of 
the  pastor's  study,  and  made  use  of  for  closets  and 
stationary  wash-stand.  A  screen  at  the  back  of  the 
centre  block  of  pews,  immediately  in  front  of  the 
main  entrance  door,  was  fixed  by  the  committee  to 
break  the  force  of  the  air  upon  persons  inside  when 
the  door  was  opened. 

In  addition  to  the  resrular  contract  made  with  Mr. 
Robt.  Scott,  there  was  a  contract  made  with  Morris 


108  HISTORY   OF   THE 

T 

and  Haines,  for  three  furnaces  capable  of  warming 
the  entire  building,  also  for  registers,  dampers,  &c.  ; 
the  contract  price  for  the  work  thus  contemplated 
was  $1,371,  of  which  amount  the  furnaces  cost  $1,000. 
The  back  stairway  leading  from  the  Franklin  street 
door  up  to  the  audience  room,  under  the  main  con- 
tract, was  only  to  be  horsed  up  ;  the  committee  in 
view  of  the  necessities  which  would  frequently  occur 
for  its  use,  had  it  finished  at  a  cost  of  $232.  They 
had  also  seats  put  in  the  infant  room  for  $167.50. 

In  addition  to  the  items  already  specified  as  altera- 
tions or  additions,  the  committee  purchased  the  gas 
fixtures  for  $100,  had  a  brick  pavement  laid  on  the 
north  and  east  sides  of  the  church,  and  had  prepared 
the  foundation  for  a  slab  pavement  on  Thompson  and 
Franklin  streets. 

Everything  which  was  needed  to  be  done  was 
done,  in  order  that  the  congregation  might  be  com- 
<■  fortable  in  their  new  place  of  worship. 

These  "  extras  "  added  a  few  thousands  of  dollars 
to  the  cost  of  the  building,  every  cent  of  which  is 
carefully  recorded  on  the  books  of  the  treasurer. 

In  contemplating  the  work  done  thus  far,  we  deem 
it  our  duty  to  place  on  record  the  conviction  of  all 
who  have  watched  the  progress  of  the  building  The 
contractor  was  a  man  with  a  conscience.  He  not  only 
superintended  the  work,  but  worked  himself.  He  was 
in  earnest  to  make  a  good  job.  Living  at  Wilmington, 
Del.,  he  felt  that  a  church  building  of  such  propor- 
tions if  substantial!}'  erected,  would  be  to  his  advan- 


TEMPLE    PRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH.  109 

tage  in  securing  contracts  in  this  city.  He  slighted 
no  place,  and  allowed  no  place  to  be  slighted  by  his 
men,  from  the  time  the  first  stone  was  laid  until  the 
last  nail  under  his  contract  was  driven.  Hence,  we 
have  full  confidence  in  the  substantial  character  of 
the  building. 

The  building  committee  having  an  eye  not  simply 
to  beauty^  but  to  'strength  also,  chose  the  style  of 
architecture  wtiich  the  building  has.  They  ignored 
the  high  pitched  roof,  preferring  to  increase  the 
strength  by  binding  the  walls  together  with  heavy 
girders. 

All  of  the  materials,  whether  of  lime  or  stone, 
wood  or  iron,  were  ordered  to  be  of  the  best  quality. 
The  lumber  on  reaching  the  ground  was  carefully 
inspected,  and  as  agreed  upon  in  the  contract,  not  a 
board  could  be  used  which  did  not  meet  the  approval 
of  the  committee. 

All  disputes  arising  between  thecommiteeand  the 
contractor,  were  to  be  referred  to  the  Architect  as 
umpire  to  decide.  Happily  very  few  matters  had 
to  be  referred,  as  the  contractor  was  seemingly  bent 
on  makinsc  our  interests  his  own. 

The  opening  of  the  "  Lecture  Room,"  was  followed 
by  a  large  increase  in  the  congregation.  This  will 
readily  appear  when  we  mark  the  fact,  that  in  the 
annual  report  made  in  January  1870,  for  a  period 
covering  the  whole  year,  the  basket  collections 
amounted  to  only  $113.33;  while  from  the  opening 
of  the  Lecture  Room  until  January  1871,  a  period 


110  HISTORY   OF   THE 

of  less  than  eight  months,  the  basket  collections 
amounted  to  $390.47,  a  difference  in  favor  of  the 
shorter  time  of  $277.14. 

The  pews,  of  which  there  were  96,  rented  quite  as 
readily  as  was  anticipated,  and  before  the  first  six 
months  had  elapsed,  all  the  most  eligible  had  been 
taken. 

The  few  who  had  been  struggling  to  accomplish 
the  work  already  done,  soon  found  themselves  en- 
couraged and  strengthened  by  fresh  additions  to 
their  numbers.  The  coming  together  of  the  old  and 
new,  under  God,  did  not  partake  so  much  of  the 
nature  of  adding^  as  it  did  that  oi  blending.  We  began 
to  see  not  only  new  faces  in  our  congregations,  new 
names  on  our  rolls,  but  new  workers  in  our  fields. 
We  received  fresh  inspiration  from  new  advisers, 
and  fresh  encouragement  from  new  counsellors. 

The  moral  strength  received  by  new  persons  cast- 
ing their  lot  with  us,  was  fully  appreciated  by  all 
the  people.  Among  those  who  occupied  oflicial  posi- 
tions, it  was  frequently  the  theme  of  kindly  remark, 
and  we  are  not  surprised  that  at  the  close  of  the  year, 
several  members  of  the  Board  of  Trustees,  resigned 
in  order  that  their  places  might  be  filled  by  others 
who  could  ofiicially  bring  their  former  experiences 
in  other  churches,  to  further  the  welfare  of  our  own. 
The  people  heartily  welcomed  all  who  joined  hands 
with  them,  and  at  the  congregational  meeting,  Janu- 
ary 9th,  1871,  of  the  five  trustees  chosen,  four  were 


TEMPLE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH.        Ill 

of  those  who  had  lately  associated  themselves  with 
us,  in  the  work  of  the  Lord. 

At  this  same  congregational  meeting,  the  Board 
of  Trustees  was  authorized  to  create  a  mortgage  on 
the  church  property,  for  such  an  amount  as  they 
thought  necessary,  not  exceeding  $25,000,  the  pro- 
ceeds to  be  applied  to  the  funding  or  cancellation  of 
our  present  indebtedness. 

Another  matter  of  considerable  importance  was 
brought  up  at  this  meeting.  It  was  an  act  authori- 
zing the  Board  to  issue  stock  or  scrip,  under  the 
authority  of  this  corporation,  to  an  amount  not  ex- 
ceeding $20,000,  the  proceeds  to  be  applied  to  the 
completion  of  the  church  edifice. 

After  some  discussion  of  this  proposition,  it  was 
laid  upon  the  table,  to  be  taken  up  at  an  adjourned 
meeting  of  the  congregation,  on  January  18th,  1871. 
The  pastor  was  invited  to  be  present  at  the  adjourned 
meeting. 

During  the  interval  which  elapsed  between  the 
stated  and  adjourned  meetings,  a  conference  was  held 
by  some  of  the  male  members  of  the  church.  At 
this  conference  the  pastor  brought  forward  the  sub- 
ject of  the  "  Memorial  Fund." 

In  1869,  when  the  two  branches  of  the  Presbyte- 
rian Church  came  together,  there  was  a  wide-spread 
enthusiasm  throughout  the  whole  church.  The  city 
of  Pittsburg,  where  the  Old  and  'New  School  Assem- 
blies merged  into  one,  witnessed  scenes  memorable 
in  the  historv  of  Presbyterianism.     There  was  not- 


112  HISTORY    OF   THE 

only  the  procession,  in  which,  bj  previous  aiTange- 
ment,  former  Old  School  men  linked  arms  with  for- 
mer ^ew  School  men,  but  there  was  also  one  of  the 
grandest  and  most  enthusiastic  meetings  ever  held 
by  a  religious  body.  In  the  midst  of  this  enthu- 
siasm it  was  proposed  by  some  members  of  the  body 
to  raise  in  the  "Reunited  Church  "  $5,000,000  as  a 
"  memorial  "  unto  the  Lord  for  his  wonderful  good- 
ness and  providence  in  bringing  such  a  happy  state 
of  things  to  pass.  This  proposition  was  heralded 
throughout  the  land,  and  the  church  became  com- 
mitted to  it. 

When  the  General  Assembly,  after  the  reunion, 
met  in  the  First  Presbyterian  Church  in  this  city, 
in  May,  1870,  the  proposition  was  brought  forward, 
a  committee  appointed  to  see  it  carried  out,  and  ar- 
range all  the  machinery  necessary  to  make  it  a  suc- 
cess. Theological  seminaries,  colleges  and  professor- 
ships were  to  Ije  endowed,  and  the  work  of  the  Lord 
generally  was  to  be  fostered  and  furthered  by  the 
munificent  fund.  The  whole  amount  was  to  be 
raised  b}^  the  time  the  Assembly  met  in  1871.  The 
work  was  done,  well  done,  and  better  done  than  the 
most  sanguine  had  hoped  for. 

Certain  churches  like  our  own,  engaged  in  build- 
ing, were  allowed  to  raise  money  to  push  forward 
their  individual  work,  and  for  the  amounts  thus 
raised  in  the  time  specified,  were  to  receive  credit  on 
account  of  the  "Memorial  Fund." 

The   brethren   of  the   conference,   upon    learning 


TEMPLE    PRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH.  113 

these  facts,  thought  it  best  to  waive  all  questions 
touching  the  issuing  of  stock  or  scrip,  and  see  what 
they  could  do  in  the  way  of  raising  money,  as 
authorized  by  the  Memorial  Committee.  When, 
therefore,  the  congregation  met,  and  had  the  Memo- 
rial Fund  explained  to  them,  they  voted  down  the 
"  resolution  on  stock  or  scrip,"  and  appointed  Messrs. 
S.  Bradbury,  Abner  Lincoln,  S.  L.  Kirk,  Dr.  B.  C. 
Snowden,  Dr.  J.  P.  Curran,  Lewis  Davis,  Robert 
Dornan,  and  Conrad  B.  Day,  a  Committee  on  Memo- 
rial Contributions."  On  motion,  the  pastor  was 
added  to  the  committee.  This  committee,  as  we 
find  afterwards  reported,  succeeded  in  raising  contri- 
butions to  the  amount  of  $10,293.75. 

Soon  after  this,  a  mortgage  of  $25,000  upon  the 
church  property  was  negotiated  with  the  Fire  Asso- 
ciation, and  the  mortgage  of  $7,500,  given  to  Mr. 
Ellis,  was  paid  off*. 

The  congregation  encouraged  the  Board  of  Trus- 
tees to  go  forward  in  the  completion  of  the  church 
building.  With  this  in  view,  at  their  meeting,  held 
May  8th,  1871,  they  unanimously  elected  Mr.  Jacob 
Knight  a  member  of  the  Building  Committee. 

The  Building  Committee  invited  proposals  from 
several  builders  for  the  finishing  of  the  church  edi- 
fice. These  proposals  contemplated  all  the  carpenter 
work,  lumber,  stairs,  pews  and  plastering  necessary 
for  the  completion  of  the  work.  The  committee  met 
at  the  office  of  the  Architect,  May  29th,  1871,  to  open 
these  proposals,  when  it  was  found  that  the  lowest 

8 


114  HISTORY   OF  THE 

estimate  for  the  work  was  from  A.  Catnach  &  Son, 
A  contract  was  entered  into  with  them,  and  they 
commenced  upon  the  work  immediately. 

A  look  at  the  church  buildino;  at  this  time  will 
not  be  out  of  place.  All  the  stone  work  was  done. 
The  main  entrance  door  on  Thompson  street,  and  the 
door  on  Fmnklin  street,  were  finished  and  in  place. 
All  the  windows  on  the  lower  floor  were  hung.  On 
either  side  of  the  main  door,  as  you  entered,  there 
was  a  temporary  wall,  of  lathe,  and  one  coat  of  plas- 
ter, so  as  to  protect  the  Lecture  Room  from  the  rub- 
bish which  accumulated  in  the  unfinished  portion  of 
the  building.  The  two  side  entrances  on  Thompson 
street  were  boarded  up,  as  were  also  the  windows  in 
the  second  story.  The  floor  in  the  main  room  was 
laid,  and  the  gallery  joists  in  position.  Within  the 
walls,  the  Lecture  Room  and  rooms  adjoining  were 
alone  complete. 

In  view  of  a  festival  to  be  held  in  the  church 
about  this  time,  and  as  the  work  had  to  be  done  be- 
fore the  lathing  and  plastering  commenced,  the 
Building  Committee  engaged  Mr.  Hugh  Thompson 
to  introduce  the  gas-pipes.  They  also  changed  the 
original  design,  which  was  to  have  the  gallery  front 
circular,  and  arranged  to  have  it  straight.  This 
change,  and  another,  which  provided  a  better  pew 
end,  brought  the  cost  of  the  work  contemplated  by 
Catnach  &  Son  to  the  sum  of  $10,000. 

After  due  consideration,  the  Building  Committee 
thought  best  to  reduce  the  space  allowed  by  the 


TEMPLE   PRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH.  115 

Architect  for  the  back  stairway  and  pulpit  recess. 
By  cutting  off  three  feet  from  this  space,  there  was 
still  left  suflScient  room  for  a  wide  stairway  and  pul- 
pit recess ;  and  while  the  architectural  design  was 
not  interfered  with,  the  audience  room  was  increased 
in  depth.  This  alteration  was  made  by  the  con- 
tractors for  $130.  The  plan  of  the  Architect,  upon 
which  the  contracter  based  his  estimate,  called  for 
only  126  pews.  There  being  ample  room  for  more, 
the  committee  arranged  to  have  150.  Afterwards, 
however,  to  allow  a  wider  space  between  the  pulpit 
platform  and  the  pews  in  front  of  it,  they  had  two 
taken  out,  leaving  the  number  148.  In  the  gallery 
were  placed  eight  very  long  pews. 

The  work  of  finishing  now  went  forward  quite 
briskly.  The  committee  had  other  contracts  to  make, 
and  they  had  to  be  continually  on  the  alert,  lest  their 
delays  might  delay  the  work  already  advancing. 
Contracts  were  made  with  Mr.  John  Gibson  to  do  all 
the  frescoeing,  after  a  design  furnished  by  the  Archi- 
tect, for  $770  ;  with  Messrs.  J.  and  G.  H.  Gibson,  to 
furnish,  after  approved  patterns,  all  the  glasg  re- 
quired, for  $1,455.57 ;  with  Mr.  Charles  M.  Baker, 
to  do  all  the  painting,  graining,  oiling,  &c.,  necessary 
to  complete  the  church  in  the  best  manner,  for  $415 ; 
with  Cornelius  &  Co.,  for  furnishing  gas  fixtures  and 
putting  them  up,  for  $400 ;  and  with  Morris  & 
Haines,  for  registers,  &c.,  $148, 

Looking  forward  to  the  completion  of  the  church, 
which  was  expected  about  De^^ember  let,  1871,  it  was 


116  HISTORY   OF   THE 

thought  advisable  to  have  everything  in  complete 
readiness  for  dedication  at  that  time.  On  Sabbath, 
July  9th,  the  pastor  announced  that  a  meeting  of  the 
congregation  would  be  held  on  Wednesday,  the  12th 
inst.,  to  consider  a  matter  connected  with  the  open- 
ing of  the  church.  At  that  meeting,  the  object  was 
stated  to  be  the  appointment  of  a  committee  to  make 
all  arrangements  for  procuring  a  suitable  organ  to  be 
used  in  the  main  audience  room,  now  in  process  of 
completion.  Whereupon  Messrs.  J.  P.  Curran,  M.D., 
John  Dickey,  and  Samuel  H.  Davis,  were  appointed. 
The  distinctive  title  of  the  committee  was,  "  The 
Organ  Committee." 

Soon  after  their  appointment,  they  held  a  joint 
conference  with  the  Building;  Committee.  According: 
to  the  Architect's  plan,  the  organ  was  intended  to  be 
placed  in  the  northeast  corner  of  the  building,  along- 
side of  the  pulpit.  At  this  conference,  however,  it 
was  decided  to  place  the  organ  in  the  gallery,  and 
have  the  corner  where  it  was  originally  intended  to 
be,  made  to  correspond  with  the  other  side  of  the 
pulpit,  and  to  use  the  recess  as  a  store-room. 

Having  decided  as  to  where  the  organ  should  be 
placed,  the  Organ  Committee  began  to  inquire  more 
particularly  of  what  they  were  to  do.  They  attended 
organ  openings,  corresponded  with  organ  builders, 
studied  the  wants  and  wishes  of  the  congregation, 
but  concluded  that  for  the  present  at  least,  they  had 
better  wait  until  other  matters  more  important  were 
attended  to,  and  the  finances  of  the  church  would 


|_^V^      -•"'*' 


y. 


TEMPLE   PRESBYTERIAN   CHUtlCH.  117 

warrant  them  in  arran2:ino:  for  the  buildino;  of  such 
an  organ  as  they  believed  the  church  needed.  To 
bridge  over  from  the  present  to  a  more  favorable 
time,  they  hired  an  organ,  which,  with  satisfaction, 
has  been  used  until  now. 

!N'ot withstanding  the  expectations  of  the  congre- 
gation, the  work  of  finishing  the  church  was  not 
completed  until  the  close  of  January,  1872.  The 
dedication  might  have  taken  place  in  January  had 
the  committee  forced  the  work  along.  They  chose, 
however,  to  wait  until  everything  was  in  complete 
readiness  ;  until  even  the  minutest  matter  had  been 
attended  to 

On  Thursday  evening,  February  1st,  the  Building 
Committee,  with  many  of  the  members  of  the  church, 
met  in  the  audience  room,  to  test  the  gas  arrange- 
ments. The  experiment  proved  that  the  style  of 
lighting  the  church  was  satisfactory,  both  as  to  the 
softness  of  the  light  and  the  amount  of  light 
given. 

When  there  was  nothing  further  to  be  done,  pub- 
lic notice  was  given,  through  the  religious  and  secular 
papers,  that  the  church  would  be  dedicated  to  the 
worship  of  God  on  Sabbath,  February  4th,  1872.  A 
card  similar  to  that  which  had  been  distributed  at 
the  time  of  the  opening  exercises  in  the  Lecture 
Hoom,  was  printed,  and  copies  sent  to  the  friends  of 
the  church,  and  distributed  throughout  the  commu- 
nity. This  card  contained  the  following  programme 
of  the  "  Dedication  Services:" 


118  HISTORY   OF  THl 

Sabbath,  February  4,th,  at  10\  A,  M, 

Sermon  preached  and  Dedicatory  Services  conducted 

by  the  Pastor, 
Rev.  James  Y.  Mitchell. 

sermons  by 

Rev.  R.  H.  Allen,  D.D., 

At  3  P.  Jf. 

Rev.  H.  C.  McCook, 

At  71  P.  M. 

Monday,  February  5th,  8  P,  M, 

UNION   MEETING. 

To  be  addressed  by  several  neighboring  pastors, 

SERMONS. 

Tuesday,  February  6(h,  8  P,  M, 

Rev.  J.  L.  Withrow, 
Pastor  of  Arch  Street  Presbyterian  Church, 

Wednesday  J  February  7  th,  8  P,  M. 

Rev.  D.  March,  D.D., 

Pastor  of  Clinton  Street  Presbyterian  Church, 

Thursday,  February  8th,  8  P.  M, 

Rev.  E.  R.  Beadle,  D.D., 

Pastor  of  the  Second  Presbyterian  Church, 


TEMPLE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH,       119 

Friday,  February  9th,  8  P.  M, 

Rev.  H,  Johnson^  D.D., 

Pastor  of  First  Presbyterian  Cliurcli, 

Sabbath,  February  llth^  at  10\  A,  3£ 

Administration  of  the  Sacrament  of  the  Lord's 

Supper^  by  the  Pastor. 

S  F.  M, 

Sunday  School  Jubilee. 

addresses  by 
Rev.  Wm.  0.  Johnstone, 

Pastor  of  Kensington  Presbyterian  Church, 
and  the  Pastor, 

Singing  and  other  exercises,  by  the  Children  of  the 
Sabbath  Schools. 

sermon  by 

Rev.  R.  B.  Harper,  D.B., 

Pastor  of  North  Broad  Street  Presbyterian  Church. 

Monday,  February  12th,  8  P.  M. 
Social  Gathering  and  Selecting  of  Pews  and  Sittings. 


120  HISTORY    OF   THE 

This  programme  was  fully  carried  out,  except  in 
two  particulars.  Eev.  Dr.  Beadle,  having  injured 
himself  by  a  fall,  was  unable  to  be  present.  Rev. 
E.  H.  ITevin,  D.D.,  pastor  of  the  Reformed  Church  in 
Race  street,  below  Fourth,  took  his  place.  Rev.  Dr. 
Harper,  could  not  attend,  owing  to  sickness.  The 
pastor  occupied  the  pulpit  in  his  stead.  The  Union 
meeting  on  Monday  evening  was  participated  in  by 
Rev.  W.  T.  Eva,  pastor  of  Bethesda  Church ;  Rev. 
IN'oah  M.  Price,  pastor  of  Lutherbaum  Church,  and 
Rev.  Wm.  R.  Work. 

The  weather  during  the  services  was  very  fine. 
"We  could  hardly  have  looked  for  so  mild  a  season 
during  a  winter  month.  Very  large  congregations 
attended  the  meetings,  and  a  collection  being  taken 
up  at  each  of  the  services,  the  treasury  was  benefited 
to  the  amount  of  $4,820. 

A  large  number  of  persons  attended  the  Social 
Gathering  on  Monday,  February  12th. 

The  Board  of  Trustees  had  decided  to  sell  the 
choice  of  pews.  On  the  opening  of  the  Lecture  Room, 
the  Trustees  had  acted  on  the  principle  that  "  the 
first  coming  should  be  first  served."  This  arrange- 
ment did  not  give  entire  satisfaction.  To  avoid 
difficulty  about  location  in  the  main  room,  they  de- 
cided to  sell  the  choice  of  pews  at  the  time  of  the 
Social  Gatherins;. 

The  purchaser  did  not  acquire  a  title  to  the  pew  he 
selected,  but  simply  the  right  to  occupy  it,  subject  to 
the  rental  as  fixed   bv  the  Board  of  Trustees,  and 


TEMPLE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH.        121 

also  to  all  regulations  and  restrictions  whicli  they 
from  time  to  time  might  impose.  The  premiums  for 
choice  were  made  payable  with  the  quarter's  rent 
next  due,  and  amounted  to  a  few  hundred  dollars. 

A  committee  of  the  Board — viz,  S.  L.  Kirk, 
Jacob  Knight,  Robert  Doman  and  Abner  Lincoln, 
had  previously  prepared  a  schedule  of  the  rentals, 
which  was  also  anproved  by  the  Board. 

At  the  time  of  the  "  sale  of  choice,"  the  pews  had 
tacked  upon  thim,  the  amounts  for  which  they  rented, 
so  that  all  choosing  could  do  so  intelligently.  The  rent- 
ing of  pews  was  as  satisfactory  as  could  be  expected. 
The  first  annual  report  succeeding,  showing  a  reve- 
nue from  that  source  of  over  $5,000. 


X. 

AMENDMENTS  TO  THE  CHARTER — INCREASING  THE  NUM- 
BER OF  MEMBERS  IN  THE  BOARD  OF  TRUSTEES,  AND 
CHANGING  THE  CHURCH  NAME. 

In  the  annual  report  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  to 
the  congregation,  made  at  a  meeting  held  January 
8th,  1872,  two  very  important  propositions  were 
brought  forward.  One  of  these  contemplated  a 
change  in  the  "  Corporate  Title"  of  the  church  ;  the 
other  "  an  increase  in  the  number  of  the  members  of 
the  Board  of  Trustees.  These  propositions  had  re- 
ceived the  careful  attention  and  consideration  of  the 
Board. 


122  HISTORY   OP   THE 

On  Dec.  11th,  1871,  they  had  appointed  a  commit- 
tee "  to  consider  the  expediency  of  procuring  an 
alteration  in  our  church  charter,  changing  our 
corporate  name,  and  also  increasing  the  number  of 
trustees." 

This  committee  at  a  meeting  of  the  Board,  held 
January  3d,  1872,  reported  as  follows : 

"  That  as  our  old  name, '  the  Trustees  of  the  Cen- 
tral Presbyterian  Church  in  the  iN'orthern  Liberties,' 
has  ceased  to  have  any  local  significance  attached  to 
it,  and  is  long  and  unwieldy ;  they  recommend  a 
change  to  the  '  Grace  Presbyterian  Church  of  Phila- 
delphia.' 

They  also  recommend  an  increase  in  the  number 
of  members  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  from  nine,  the 
present  number,  to  fifteen." 

(Signed)      S.  L.  Kirk,       ) 

S.  Bradbury,    ^  Committee. 

J.  P.  CURRAN,     ) 

When  these  propositions  came  before  the  congre- 
gation, the  second  was  adopted  at  once,  and  with 
entire  unanimity.  The  congregation  had  felt,  that 
in  a  growing  church,  where  so  many  were  continu- 
ally identifying  themselves  with  us,  that  it  was  well 
to  be  more  fully  represented  in  the  Board,  so  that 
the  efi&ciency  of  the  church  might  be  increased,  and 
her  welfarc  promoted  by  additional  counsellors. 

The  first  proposition  regarding  the  "  change  of 
name,"  did  not  at  the  time  it  was  offered,  meet  with 
the  same  unanimous  approval. 


TEMPLE   PRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH.  123 

It  was  not  to  be  wondered  at  that  exceptions  were 
taken  to  the  action.  Some  believed  that  a  change  of 
name,  would  to  some  extent  at  least,  destroy  all  pre- 
vious history  of  the  church. 

Pleasant  associations  and  happy  religious  hours, 
seemed  to  them  to  be  in  one  way  or  another  connec- 
ted with  the  name,  or  at  least  the  name  linked 
them  to  these  associations. 

Others  thought  that  a  name  worn  with  honor  so 
long,  ought  not  to  be  changed  without  some  fuller 
explanation  of  the  reasons  for  that  change.  It  was 
true,  the  church  was  no  longer  in  the  "  IN'orthern 
Liberties,"  but  there  were  other  reasons,  which  to 
their  minds  were  more  potent  and  satisfactory,  why 
it  should  be  done  ;  and  these  reasons  ought  to  be 
embodied  in  some  way,  in  any  resolution  which  con- 
templated a  change  of  name. 

After  some  discussion  of  the  subject,  its  further 
consideration  was  postponed,  and  the  Trustees  were 
directed  to  call  a  special  meeting  of  the  congregation 
at  an  early  day,  (giving  two  week's  notice  from  the 
pulpit)  to  consider  the  question. 

In  the  discussion  of  this  subject,  the  Presb^^teria 
reason  for  the  change  was  mentioned,  but  not  fully 
brought  to  the  notice  of  the  congregation. 

After  the  "  Reunion  "  of  the  two  branches  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church,  the  Presbyteries  and  Synods 
were  reconstructed.  Changes  of  names  became  not 
only  frequent  but  necessary.  The  Fourth  Presbytery, 
to  which  our  church  previously  belonged,  was incorpo- 


124  HISTORY    OP   THE 

rated  with  what  is  now  the  "  Philadelphia  Presby- 
tery," and  the  Third  Presbytery,  with  what  is  now 
the  "  Presbytery  of  Philadelphia  Central." 

In  these  changes,  our  own  church  being  ISTorth  of 
Market  street,  was  by  a  geographical  arrangement 
brought  within  the  bounds  of  the  "Presbytery  of 
Philadelphia  Central." 

It  so  happened,  that  another  church, (formerly  Old 
School)  the  Central  Presbyterian,  was  brought  into 
the  same  connection.  The  sameness  of  name  often 
produced  great  confusion  in  the  public  prints,  and  in 
Presbyterial  and  Synodical  gatherings.  It  was  felt 
desirable  by  many  of  the  ministerial  brethren,  that 
either  our  own,  or  the  other  Central  Church  should 
accept  the  logic  of  events,  and  as  many  others  had 
done,  change  the  corporate  title. 

The  other  Church  being  our  senior  by  a  few  years 
could  not  be  expected  to  yield  in  this  matter,  so  the 
question  pressed  itself  upon  us. 

Many  believed  and  do  still  believe,  that  the  time 
is  coming  when  there  will  be  but  one  Presbytery  to 
embrace  all  churches  in  the  city.  In  such  an  event, 
another  Central  Church  (colored)  would  be  upon  the 
roll,  and  add  to  the  confusion  of  names. 

Out  of  these  facts,  chiefly  the  whole  discussion  in 
our  church  was  brought  about. 

The  Trustees  were  in  no  immediate  hurry  to  call 
another  congregational  meeting,  preferring  to  wait 
until  such  times  as  they  believed  the  whole  matter 
would  be  well  understood,  and  lieartily  acquiesced  in 


TEMPLE    PRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH.  125 

by  the  congregation.  In  the  meantime  the  members 
talked  to  one  and  another  about  it,  and  a  conference 
of  male  members  was  held. 

The  Trustees  seeing  they  must  take  steps  to  have 
the  charter  amended  accordins;  to  the  vote  of  the 
congregation,  touching  an  increase  in  the  number  of 
the  Board  ;  desiring  to  have  but  one  expense  and  one 
trouble  in  brinsrino;  the  charter  for  amendment  before 
the  court ;  and  believing  that  they  could  no  longer 
postpone  the  meeting,  and  comply  with  the  directions 
of  the  congregation,  which  named  "  an  early  day," 
issued  their  call  for  a  meeting  to  be  held  on  Wednes- 
day Evening,  March  27th,  1872,  immediately  after 
the  regular  lecture. 

The  pastor  without  consuming  the  time  usually 
taken  up  for  lecture,  retired  to  his  study  after  the 
introductory  exercises,  to  hold  a  conference  with 
some  of  the  ladies  of  the  church,  regarding  the  inter- 
ests of  the  "Ladies  Aid  Society." 
:  As  soon  as  the  congregational  meeting  had  been 
organized,  and  the  resolution  under  which  it  was 
convened  had  been  read,  Mr.  W.  R.  Stewart  moved 
"  that  a  committee  of  conference,  consisting  of  three 
persons,  be  appointed  to  prepare  a  preamble  and  reso- 
lution, and  report  to  this  meeting  to  night."  The 
motion  prevailed,  and  Messrs.  W.  R.  Stewart,  Abner 
Lincoln  and  W.  L.  Clifford,  were  nominated  and 
.  elected  the  committee. 

When  the  committee  had  retired,  several  of  the 
members  indulged  in  remarks  on  the  subject.     Pre- 


126  HISTORY    OF    THE 

sently  the  committee  of  conference  returned  and  pre- 
sented their  report  as  follows : 

''Whereas,  the  recent  coming  together  of  the  two 
branches  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  has  necessi- 
tated the  blending  of  Presbyteries ;  and  in  many 
instances  requiring  new  names  to  be  given :  and, 

Whereas,  in  our  own  Presbytery  thus  united, 
there  is  another  church  organization  known  as  the 
Central  Presbyterian,  which  similarity  of  names 
causes  much  confusion  in  Presbyterial  records ;  there- 
tore. 

Resolved^  That  while  we  cannot  forget  the  past  his- 
tory of  the  church  under  the  old  name  ;  and  mindful 
of  the  ever  watchful  care  of  a  kind  Providence,  who 
during  a  somewhat  varied  history  has  blessed  and 
prospered  us  ;  we  feel  called  upon  as  a  concession  to 
this  spirit  of  union  and  harmonv,  so  prominent  in 
our  united  church,  to  change  the  corporate  title  ;  and 
be  it  therefore, 

Resolved^  That  the  Board  of  Trustees  be  authorized 
to  take  the  necessary  steps  to  so  amend  the  charter, 
that  hereafter  the  title  of  this  corporation  shall  be 

Presbyterian  Church." 

(Signed)         Wm.  R.  Stewart,     1 

Abner  Lincoln,        j.  Committee. 
Wm.  L.  Clifford,     I 

On  motion,  the  resolution  attached  to  the  report 
was  adopted  ;  after  which  the  preamble  in  the  report 
of  the  committee  was  adopted. 


TEMPLE    PRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH.  127 

Messrs.  J.  P.  Curraii,  M.  D.,  Abner  Lincoln  and 
E.  R.  Graver,  were  appointed  a  committee  to  prepare 
a  list  of  names  to  be  voted  for  to  fill  the  blank  in 
the  report  of  the  committee.  The  name  "  Grace  "  as 
previously  reported  by  the  Board,  was  not  presented 
at  this  meeting,  because  it  was  discovered  that  a  Pres- 
byterian mission  had  recently  been  started  in  the  lower 
part  of  the  city  bearing  the  title. 

The  following  names  were  presented  to  the  congre- 
gation :  Temple,  Pisgah,  Carmel  and  Emmanuel. 

These  names  were  voted  for  by  ballot.  The  first 
ballot  decided  by  a  very  large  majority  of  all  the 
votes  cast  in  favor  of  the  name  "  Temple."  On 
motion  the  blank  in  the  report  of  the  committee  of 
conference,  was  filled  with  the  name  "  Temple,"  and 
the  report  as  a  whole  was  adopted  without  a  dissenting 
voice. 

When  the  congregation  had  finished  the  business 
which  brought  them  together,  and  just  before  they 
had  retired,  the  pastor  returned  to  the  Lecture  Room 
from  his  study,  and  made  a  short  address.  He  spoke 
of  the  circumstances  which  led  to  the  consideration 
of  the  subject  which  had  claimed  their  attention  ;  of 
the  former  history  and  associations,  which  had  clus- 
tered around  the  old  name;  of  these  being  inde- 
structible by  any  changes,  whether  of  location  or 
name ;  congratulated  them  on  the  name  chosen;  re- 
minding them  that  the  title  was  not  only  distinctive^ 
but  to  his  knowledge  had  never  before  been  adopted 
by  any  church. 


128  HISTORY    OF    THE 

The  Ancient  Temple  although  costly  and  rich  in 
ornaments,  had  a  glory  other  than  that  found  in  its 
curious  workmanship,  and  in  its  overlayings  of  gold 
and  silver.  Its  main  glory  was  in  the  extraordinary 
marks  of  the  divine  favor  with  which  it  was 
honored. 

In  it  were  the  Ark  of  the  Covenant,  the  Shechinah, 
the  Urim  and  Thummim.  As  in  the  "  Ark  of  the 
Covenant "  were  treasured  the  "  Tables  of  the  Jjaw^'  so 
may  this  Temple  hold  with  sacred  reverence  the  laws 
of  our  God.  As  from  the  "  Mercy  Seat "  which  was 
upon  the  "  Ark  of  the  Covenant,"  the  "-  Divine  Ora- 
cles "  were  given  out  by  an  audible  voice,  so  may  we 
in  this  Temple  hear  the  voice  of  God,  in  behalf  of  his 
people.  As  "  The  Shechinah "  was  visibly  mani- 
fested by  a  cloud  resting  over  the  "  Mercy  Seat,"  so 
may  we  in  this  Temple  have  the  constant  presence  of 
God  with  us.  As  by  the  "  Urim  and  Thummim" 
God  was  consulted  in  all  momentous  and  difficult 
matters,  so  may  we  by  the  word  of  God,  and  the 
ordiances  appointed  under  God  in  this  Temple^  hold 
counsel  with  Him  on  all  matters  with  which  we  have 
to  do. 

The  glory  of  the  "  Second  Temple  "  was  greater 
than  the  former,  because  Christ  appeared  in  it.  May 
Christ  not  only  appear,  but  abide  with  us.  May  the 
Holy  Spirit  ever  manifest  his  wonderful  work  in 
enlightening  and  establishing  God's  children,  and  in 
quickening  dead  sinners  into  spiritual  life  ;  and  when 
our  works  and  services  in  this  Temple  are  ended, 


TEMPLE   PRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH.  129 

maj  we  all  have  a  ^'new  name  loritten  on  our  fore* 
heads,''  and  be  permitted  to  join  in  the  unending 
services  of  the  "  Heavenly  Temple,"  with  the  blood- 
redeemed,  who  never  weary  in  chanting  with  a  loud 
voice,  "  Worthy  is  the  Lamb,  that  was  slain,  to  re- 
ceive power,  and  riches,  and  wisdom,  and  strength, 
and  honor,  and  glory,  and  blessing." 

After  this  address  the  pastor  led  in  prayer,  and 
dismissed  the  congregation  with  the  Apostolic  Bene- 
diction. 

The  cono-rescation  havino;  sriven  the  Board  of  Trus- 
tees  authority  to  take  such  legal  measures  as  were  ne- 
cessary to  secure  the  amendments  to  the  charter,  the 
Board,  at  its  meeting  held  April  8th,  1872,  appointed 
Messrs.  S.  L.  Kirk,  Robert  Dornan,  and  Lewis  Davis, 
as  a  Committee  for  that  purpose;  this  Committee 
engaged  J.  Austin  Spencer,  Esq.,  as  Counsellor,  and 
to  him  was  committed  the  work  of  having  the  charter 
so  amended  as  to  conform  to  the  vote  of  the  cons-re- 
gation.  It  was  not,  however,  until  the  meeting  of 
the  Board,  held  January  11th,  1873,  that  the  com- 
mittee were  able  to  report  their  work  done.  On 
December  2d,  1872,  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas,  for 
the  City  and  County  of  Philadelphia,  after  reciting 
that  all  proper  legal  steps  had  been  taken  in  the 
matter,  "  did  decree  and  declare,  the  name,  style  and 
title  of  this  corporation  to  be  changed  to  that  of 
'  Temple  Presbyterian  Church  ; '  also,  that  the  Board 
of  Trustees  be  increased  in  number  from  nine  to 
tifteen  members,  allowing  the  election  of  five  of  these 

9 


130  HISTORY   OF   THE 

annually,  on  the  second  Monday  in  January,  in  each 
and  every  year,  to  serve  for  three  years." 

The  first  election  under  the  amended  charter,  took 
place  at  the  congregational  meeting  held  January 
13th,  1873. 

The  "  Building  Committee,"  after  the  dedication 
of  the  church,  were  continued  by  the  Board ;  not 
because  there  was  any  work  to  be  done  for  which 
they  were  specially  appointed,  but  to  attend  to  the 
collection  of  outstanding  subscriptions,  so  far  as  they 
could,  and  pay  off  the  indebtedness  to  contractors 
and  others. 

On  December  9th,  1872,  they  made  a  final  report 
of  their  operations  to  the  Board  of  Trustees,  which 
report  was  accepted,  the  Committee  discharged,  and 
the  report  adopted  as  a  part  of  the  annual  report  of 
the  Board  to  the  congregation.  This  final  report  of 
the  "  Building  Committee,"  is  a  general  outline  of 
the  work  done  from  the  time  of  its  appointment, 
February  8th,  1869,  up  to  the  time  of  its  discharge, 
December  9th,  1872,  nearly  four  years,  and  was  re- 
ported at  the  congregational  meeting  held  January 
13th,  1873. 

A  look  at  the  building  at  this  time,  shows  it  com- 
pletely finished  within,  in  all  its  parts.  Outside,  a 
board  pavement  is  laid,  the  Trustees  hoping  during 
the  coming  season,  to  be  able  to  lay  a  flag  pavement 
and  put  up  an  iron  railing ;  when  this  is  done,  all  is 
done  which  is  needed  for  the  accommodation,  con- 
venience  and   comfort   of  the   congregation.      The 


TEMPLE   PRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH.  131 

toTver,  according  to  the  design  of  the  architect,  is 
intended  to  be  finished  out  at  the  top  with  a  spire. 
"With  this  in  view,  all  the  necessary  strength  for 
such  a  purpose  was  maintained  during  the  building 
of  the  tower,  and  all  needed  framework  for  the  foun- 
dation of  the  spire  was  put  in  its  place.  This  finish, 
not  being  absolutely  needed,  is  not  at  the  present 
time  considered. 

Looking  over  the  past,  we  wonder  how  a  church 
in  a  weakened  condition,  with  but  little  financial 
ability,  could  ever  have  undertaken  such  a  work  as 
that,  which  we  now  call  "  finished."  The  secret  of 
all  is  "  Faith."  The  people  believed  in  God.  '  They 
believed  that  He  who  had  cared  for  this  church  in 
daj^s  gone  by,  would  care  for  it  in  the  days  of  its 
trial  and  need.  With  faith  they  overcame  doubts, 
and  with  faith  they  triumphed.  Yery  generally  too, 
they  illustrated  the  truth  of  the  text,  from  which 
the  pastor  preached  his  first  sermon  in  the  new 
"  Lecture  room :  "  "  For  the  people  had  a  mind  to 
work,""  Neh.  4  ch.  6  v.  Faith  and  works  happily 
joined  together,  God  OAvned  and  blessed.  He  gave 
them  courage  to  endure  until  we  entered  into  the 
new  field.  He  then  put  it  into  the  hearts  of  others 
to  join  hands  with  them.  The  body  thus  enlarged, 
was  like-minded  and  like-determined — co-operation, 
sympathy,  oneness,  characterized  it ;  and  now  we 
behold  the  results.  While  much  remains  to  be  done, 
may  we  not  believe  it  will  soon  be  done,  after  what 
we  know  has  been  done. 


132  HISTORY   OF  TH« 

XL 

A  LOOK   AT   THE  SPIRITUAL   CONWTIOGS   OP  THE  CHtJRCS/ 

The  Church  although  so  much  engaged,  and  that 
too,  from  necessity,  in  things  pertaining  to  her  tem- 
poral interests,  was  not  idle  with  regard  to  things 
spiritual.  All  the  building  operations,  in  which  we 
were  concerned,  did  not  more  interfere  with  us,  than 
did  the  terrible  feelings  of  suspense  and  doubt  which 
pervaded  the  congregation,  when  it  was  generally 
believed  that  the  extinction  of  the  church  was  only  a 
question  of  time. 

At  the  time  of  the  installation  of  Mr,  Mitchell  as 
pastor,  the  appearance  of  things  was  not  very  en- 
couraging. The  church  had  been  without  a  pastor 
for  more  than  a  year.  During  that  time,  many  of 
the  people  had  attached  themselves  to  other  churches 
— the  love  of  many  had  waxed  cold — and  some  had 
ceased  altogether  to  attend  the  ordinances  of  God's 
house.  It  was  not  to  be  supposed,  that  all  the  luke 
warm  and  indifferent,  nor  in  fact  that  any  of  them 
would  resume  their  places  at  the  name  of  a  new  'pastor^ 
to  them  unknown  and  untried. 

IS'or  could  it  be  expected,  that  of  those  who  had 
identified  themselves  with  other  churches,  many  of 
whom  had  been  assigned  to  important  offices  therein, 
would  relinquish  their  places  and  come  back  as 
before.  The  most  that  was  looked  for  from  these, 
was    their   sympathy   and   good   wishes^   (which    had 


TEMPLE   PRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH.  133 

measurably  been  lost)  and  if  circumstances  required, 
their  substantial  support.  These,  under  God,  were  in 
many  instances  secured. 

At  this  time,  there  was  but  one  elder  in  the  church, 
Mr.  William  Sanderson,  Sr.  This  fact  weakened  the 
hopes  of  the  people ;  for  as  a  church  from  its  very 
commencement,  until  little  more  than  a  year  of  the 
time  we  now  consider,  it  had  prided  itself  upon  a 
strong,  efficient  corps  of  men  in  the  eldership. 

There  were  less  than  100  reliable  names  on  the 
church  register,  when  Mr.  Mitchell  was  "  called.'' 

At  the  congregational  meeting  which  voted  the 
call,  there  were  but  61  votes  cast.  This,  when  it  is 
remembered  that  special  eftbrts  were  made  to  have  a 
full  meeting,  that  there  was  the  excitement  which 
always  attends  the  choosing  of  a  pastor,  that  members 
of  the  churchy  regardless  of  age,  sex  or  pew  rental,  are 
permitted  to  vote  for  a  pastor,  shows  no  very  en- 
couraging numerical  strength. 

There  were  but  25  persons  who  held  full  pews,  and 
35  persons  who  held  parts  of  pews  or  sittings,  making 
a  total  of  60  persons,  who  contributed  through  the 
regular  chaimel  towards  the  support  of  the  church. 

From  this  showing,  we  could  not  expect  to  have 
large  numbers  in  attendance  upon  the  services  of  the 
church ;  prayer  meetings  and  weekly  lectures  were 
considered  well  attended  if  there  were  25  or  30  per- 
sons present. 

The  times  themselves  were  unfavorable  for  any 
wide-spread  religious  influence.     The  "  War  for  the 


134  HISTORY   OF   THE 

Union  "  absorbed  the  thoughts  of  the  commnnlty. 
Every  family  almost,  had  a  member  in  the  ranks  of 
our  country's  soldiery.  There  was  great  anxiety 
everywhere.  There  were  daily  expectations  of  some 
great  battle,  and  news  from  "  the  seat  of  war  "  was 
eagerly  sought  after.  It  oftentimes  appeared  as 
though  "  war  news  "  had  been  held  back,  or  the  march 
of  armies  had  been  so  arranged,  or  the  opposing 
forces  had  purposely  begun  their  battles  so  as  to  have 
Sabbath  days,  days  of  peculiar  excitement. 

Many,  if  they  did  not  get  "  war  news  "  before  they 
went  to  church,  expected  to  hear  "  war  sermons  "  in 
the  church.  The  papers  teemed  with  advertisements 
of  "  sermons  to  soldiers,"  or,  "  sermons  in  behalf  of 
soldiers."  Congregations  anywhere  and  everywhere 
were  incomplete  unless  made  up  in  part  of  men  in 
naval  or  military  uniform.  "  IS'ewsboys  "  shouted 
lustily  their  "  extras  "  and  "  latest  editions  "  hard  by 
where  congregations  gathered ;  and  it  was  no  surpris- 
ing thing,  to  see  knots  of  people  pouring  over  the 
contents  of  these  papers  in  church  vestibules. 

The  war  encouraged  excessive  worldliness ;  money 
was  easily  to  be  made  and  people  made  it.  Specula- 
tions became  rife,  investments  were  made  in  all  kinds 
of  stocks  and  securities,  whether  reliable  or  fancy, 
without  the  ordinary  questioning  and  care  which 
men  are  wont  to  exercise.  It  seemed  as  though  peo- 
ple had  abandoned  themselves  to  think  only  of  this 
world. 

The  frequent  tidings  of  thousands  killed  in  battle. 


TEMPLE   PRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH.  135 

seemed  to  harden  their  hearts  so  that  an  allusion  to 
death  failed  to  move  them.  Sueh  times  were  not 
favorable  for  making  religious  impressions. 

God,  during  this  time  of  war,  seems  to  have  re- 
served his  special  blessings  for  the  men  who  had 
gone  into  the  heat  of  battle.  While  the  church 
mourned  the  coldness  and  worldliness  of  its  members 
at  home,  there  were  frequent  outpourings  of  the  Holy 
Spirit  upon  those  who  had  gone  forth  to  war  at  the 
Call  of  their  country ;  and  many  who  were  strangers 
to  God  when  they  enlisted  under  our  country's  flag, 
became  soldiers  of  the  cross  to  fight  under  the  flag  of 
our  King  Emmanuel. 

It  is  pleasing  to  note,  that  notwithstanding  the 
unfavorableness  of  the  times  for  extended  religious 
eflbrt,  God  never  left  the  church  without  a  witness. 
At  the  very  first  communion  season  in  which  Mr. 
Mitchell  oflSciated,  one  came  forward  and  united 
herself  to  the  people  of  God.  And  at  every  com- 
munion succeeding,  while  we  remained  in  the  Old 
Church  on  Coates  street,  we  had  additional  testimony 
that  God  was  with  us. 

There  were  but  two  seasons  of  protracted  services 
between  1862  and  1870. 

Many  of  the  few  members  we  had,  lived  at  long 
distances  from  the  church,  and  it  was  quite  impossible 
for  them  to  attend  with  regularity  the  meetings. 
Some  objected  to  coming,  because  of  the  rough  char- 
acters and  rough  places  in  the  neighborhood.  It 
was  thought  best  not  to  have  special  meetings,  while 


136  HISTORY   OF  THE 

the  members  thus  excused  themselves  from  attend- 
ing. 

The  times  when  protracted  services  were  held, 
seemed  to  be  directed  by  God ;  and  as  a  result  of  our 
waiting  before  Him,  He  gave  us  at  our  April  com- 
munion in  1865,  twelve,  and  at  the  April  communion 
in  1868,  twenty-three  persons,  to  be  added  to  the 
church  on  profession  of  faith.  These  two  com 
munions  furnished  about  one-third  as  many  commu- 
nicants as  there  were  altogether  on  the  roll  in  1862. 

During  the  other  communions  until  the  very  last 
held  in  the  Old  Church,  there  were  additions  to  our 
membership. 

The  last  communion  in  Coates  street,  was  held  on 
Sabbath  evenwg^  April  10/A,  1870.  This  being  the 
last  time  for  holding  service  in  the  Old  Church,  it 
was  thought  best  to  have  the  communion  at  that 
time,  instead  of  the  morning^  as  was  the  regular  cus- 
tom. 

At  this  communion,  two  persons,  one  over  seventy 
years  of  age,  stood  up  and  professed  faith  in  Christ, 

Looking  over  the  whole  period,  seeing  how  the 
German  character  of  the  community  did  not  warrant 
us  in  hoping  for  an  increase  in  membership  from  it,  re- 
membering how  "  the  war  "  engrossed  the  thoughts  of 
all,  how  worldlymindedness  ruled  everywhere,  how, 
when  the  war  ended  we  had  to  consider  and  arrange 
for  building  elsewhere,  it  is  a  cause  for  congratula- 
tion and  thanksgiving  to  God,  that  he  not  only  kept 
our  handful  of  people  together,  but  during  that  time, 


TEMPLE    PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH.  187 

(little  more  than  seven  years),  gave  witness,  by  ad- 
ditions to  the  church  at  every  communion  season, 
that  He  had  not  forsaken  nor  forgotten  to  remember 
us. 

Upon  entering  our  new  building,  the  roll  of  mem- 
bers was  made  out  anew  with  the  following  result : 


IS^umber    enrolled   as    communicants 
Of  the  21  who  organized  the  church 

there  remained         .... 
Of  those  received  during  the  ministry 

of  Rev.  Wm.  H.  Burroughs    . 
Of  those  received  during  the  ministry 

of  Rev.  A.  Rood      .... 
Of  those  received  during  the  ministry 

of  Rev.  J.  P.  Wilson,  D.  D.     . 
Of  those  received  during  the  ministry 

of  Rev.  G.  W.  DufReld,  Jr.     . 
Of  those  received  during  the  ministry 

of  Rev.  James  Y.  Mitchell 

Total        .         .         . 


169 
3 
2 

21 
8 

54 
81 


169 


As  arranged  for  in  the  programme  of  the  opening 
exercises,  there  was  a  special  communion  season  on 
the  morning  of  the  second  Sabbath  after  we  entered 
our  "New  Lecture  Room." 

It  was  hardly  expected  at  that  time,  that  any  would 
profess  their  faith  in  Christ,  but  He  who  had  re- 
membered us  at  the  last  communion  held  in  the  Old 
Church,  by  putting  it  into  the  hearts  of  tioo  to  sit 


138  HISTORY   OF   THE 

down  for  the  first  time  at  His  table  with  His  people, 
put  it  into  the  hearts  of  just  double  that  number  to 
join  themselves  to  the  people  of  God  and  sit  down 
with  them,  when  for  the  first  time  His  table  was 
spread  in  the  Kew  Church. 

Besides  these,  five  from  sister  churches,  by  certifi- 
cate, cast  in  their  lots  with  us  at  the  same  time. 

From  that  time,  we  have  had  frequent  manifesta- 
tions of  the  Spirit  of  God  being  with  us,  and  repeated 
assurances  that  He  has  owned  and  blessed  the  labors 
of  His  people. 

In  the  Spring  of  1871,  there  was  a  special  religious 
interest  pervading  the  congregation.  An  earnest  desire 
prevailed  for  the  salvation  of  souls.  There  was  a 
greater  wrestling  with  God  in  prayer.  Additional 
meetings  were  demanded  and  held.  These  continued 
for  four  weeks  ;  quietness,  depth  of  feeling,  softening 
of  hearts  characterized  them,  and  God  gave  us  a  tes- 
timony that  He  was  pleased  with  us,  by  adding  to 
the  church  on  profession  of  faith,  33  persons. 

Mr.  Joseph  F.  Jag2:ers,  formerly  a  member  and 
elder  in  the  Presbvterian  Church  at  Fairton,  I^ew 
Jersey,  having  connected  himself  with  this  church, 
was  elected  a  ruling  elder  September  28th,  and  in- 
stalled the  Sabbath  following,  October  2d,  1870. 

The  undivided  attention  of  the  people  could  not, 
nor  can  it  yet,  be  given  to  the  spiritual  wants  of  the 
church. 

When  it  is  remembered  that  this  was  a  period  in 
which    the    work    on    \\\('   "  Audience  T^oom  "   was 


TEMPLE   PRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH.  139 

going  on,  and  with  it  completed,  provision  must 
needs  be  made  for  all  improvements  on  the  outside 
of  the  building,  also  for  the  raising  of  funds  to  meet 
present  indebtedness,  surely  the  grace  of  God  in  Christ 
was  manifested  in  bringing  the  hearts  of  His  people  to 
agonize  over  perishing  sinners  and  to  rejoice  over 
sinners  converted. 

Up  to  the  present  time,  we  have  had  added  to  the 
church  since  locating  in  this  new  neighborhood,  195 
persons. 

Of  the  whole  number  of  communicants  on  the  roll 
since  it  was  made  out  at  the  opening  of  the  New 
Church,  13  have  died,  5  have  left  because  of  removal 
from  the  city,  and  11  have  gone  to  sister  churches 
nearer  their  present  residences.  With  these  losses, 
the  church  has  yet  a  net  increase  to  its  roll,  since 
May,  1870,  of  166  members,  making  a  total  member- 
ship of  335. 

Under  the  blessing  of  God  during  the  past  few 
years,  notwithstanding  the  war  and  trials  incident 
thereto,  the  apparent  hopelessness  of  the  cause,  from 
a  generally  received  impression  that  the  church  must 
die,  the  hardships  connected  with  building  a  new 
church,  and  the  forced  division  of  thou^^ht  between 
things  temporal  and  things  spiritual,  the  membership 
numerically  was  more  than  tripled,  and  the  feeling  of 
confidence  and  hope  fully  restored. 

"  The  Lord  has  done  great  things  for  us,  whereof 
we  are  glad." 

Mindful  of  the  past ;  remembering  that  God  has 


140  HISTORY   OF   THB 

revealed  a  shining  face  from  behind  many  a  dark 
cloud ;  that  he  has  led  us  safely  through  ways  in 
which  at  first  we  feared  to  tread,  we  go  on  to  our 
future  work.  Though  much  yet  remains  for  us  to 
do,  we  will  trust  in  Him,  who  can  make  crooked 
places  straight,  believing  that  eVe  long  all  the  claims 
against  our  church  will  be  fully  cancelled,  and  that 
this  "  Temple  "  will  be  filled  with  the  songs  of  many, 
who,  "new  born,"  shall  be  further  prepared  and 
polished  within  these  walls,  for  a  place  in  the 
"  Heavenly  Temple  "  of  our  God. 


THE  SABBATH  SCHOOL 


TEMPLE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH.       143 

xn. 

THE   SABBATH    SCHOOL. 

No  history  of  this  church  would,  or  could,  be 
complete  without  an  article  on  its  Sunday  Schools. 

Prior  to  the  establishment  of  this  church,  there 
were  in  operation  Schools  which  became  the  objects 
of  attention,  care  and  oversight  of  this  people  as 
soon  as  they  became  distinctively  a  church  organi- 
zation. 

Shortly  after  the  installation  of  Rev.  James  Pat- 
terson as  Pastor  of  the  First  Church,  K.  L.,  he  se- 
cured the  services  of  his  people  in  gathering  the 
neglected  children  of  the  district  together,  on  the 
Sabbath,  for  the  purpose  of  giving  them  gratuitous 
and  religious  instruction.  As  far  as  is  known,  this 
was  the  first  school  of  the  kind  in  this  country. 

This  movement,  so  novel  at  that  period,  met  with 
some  opposition ;  but  its  success,  after  a  time,  won 
for  it  hosts  of  friends. 

Under  the  teachings  of  their  pastor,  the  member- 
ship of  the  First  Church  became  largely  engaged  in 
the  Sabbath  School  work.  AVliat  was  initiated  with 
small  beginnings  grew  into  such  large  proportions, 


144  HISTORY   OF   THE 

that  in  1816  it  was  proposed  to  build  a  room  capable 
of  accommodating  the  crowds  of  children  who  sought 
Sunday  School  instruction.  This  occasioned  the 
building  of  the  "Old  Lecture  Room"  on  Coates 
street,  west  of  Second,  which  was  finished  in  1818, 
and  which  stands  until  this  day,  although  the  en- 
croachments of  business  have  made  it  useless  for  the 
purpose  for  which  it  was  originally  intended. 

The  first  members  of  our  church  were  all  recog- 
nized "  Sunday  School  Workers,"  and  they  would 
have  been  degenerate  children  of  a  noble  parentage 
had  they  been  otherwise. 

-  About  the  1st  of  December,  1830,  nearly  five  years 
before  the  organization  of  this  church,  about  forty  or 
fifty  children  were  gathered  together  in  the  parlors 
of  the  house  of  Mr.  Benjamin  N'aglee,  then  resident 
on  Fourth  street,  below  Green,  and  were  formed  into 
a  Sunday  School,  with  Mr.  Kaglee  as  Superinten- 
dent. In  this  place  the  Sessions  were  regularly  held 
until  the  Spring  of  1831,  when  the  School  was  re- 
moved to  Mr.  John  Dickerson's  school-room,  on 
Poplar  street,  above  Second.  This  was  about  the 
time  certain  persons  were  dismissed  from  the  First 
Church,  and  organized  the  Third  Church,  IN".  L. 
When  the  Third  and  Second  Churches  united  under 
the  name  of  the  First  Church.  Penn  Township,  the 


TEMPLE   PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH.  145 

school  was  transferred  to  the  church  building  in 
Sixth  street,  above  Green.  When  a  portion  of  the 
members  separated  from  that  church,  about  fifty  or 
sixty  scholars  accompanied  them  to  the  school-room 
on  Poplar  street.  There  they  continued  until  April 
19th,  1835,  when  they  were  removed  to  Commis- 
sioners' Hall,  Third  street,  below  Green,  and  from 
thence  to  the  church  building  on  Coates  street,  below 
Fourth,  on  I^ovember  14th  of  the  same  year. 

From  this  we  learn  that  our  school  had  an  exist- 
ence prior  to  our  distinctive  church  organization, 
and  that  its  beginnings  were  characterized  by  the 
same  vicissitudes  as  marked  the  beginnings  of  our 
church. 

About  one  year  after  the  school  was  established  in 
the  church  building,  it  had  increased  so  much  in 
numbers,  that  it  was  divided  into  two  departments, 
male  SLud  female. 

The  male  department  was  under  the  charge  of  Mr. 
Benjamin  IN'aglee,  and  the  female  under  the  charge 
of  Miss  Ann  E.  Reynolds.  The  former  occupied 
what  was  afterwards  known  as  the  "  Infant  Sunday 
School  Room,"  and  the  latter  the  "  Session  and  Trus- 
tees' Room." 

As  part  of  the  missionary  labors  among  the  young 

of  the  district,  the  First  Church  had  established 

10 


146  HISTORY   OF  THE 

Mission  Schools"  at  different  points.  One  of  these 
was  the  "  Eastburn  School,"  so  named  out  of  regard 
to  a  minister  of  that  name.  This  school  was  organ- 
ized about  the  year  1825,  and  was  situated  on  Char- 
lotte street,  between  Beaver  and  George  streets. 
During  its  existence  it  had  as  Superintendents, 
Messrs.  Seth  Collom  and  C.  C.  Aitken.  The  general 
average  attendance  was  120  scholars. 

Another  Mission  School,  established  about  the 
year  1827,  was  styled  "The  I^azarene."  It  was 
located,  at  the  first,  on  Charlotte  street,  near  Frank- 
lin (now  Girard)  avenue ;  afterwards,  its  location 
was  changed  to  the  north  side  of  Franklin  (Girard) 
avenue,  between  Third  and  Fourth  streets.  It  had 
as  Superintendents,  Messrs.  William  Erhardt,  Joseph 
ISTaglee,  and  Joseph  Aitken.  The  average  attend- 
ance was  80  scholars. 

In  October,  1837,  the  teachers  of  the  church 
schools,  and  the  teachers  of  the  "Eastburn"  (reported 
as  the  Fourth  Street  School),  and  "Nazarene" 
Schools,  met  together  for  the  purpose  of  organizing 
what  was  afterwards  known  as  "  The  Sabbath  School 
Association  of  the  Central  Presbyterian  Church  of 
the  Northern  Liberties."  On  the  29th  of  October, 
1837,  these  teachers  adopted  a  constitution  and 
by-laws ;  and  on  the  6tli  of  November  were  fnllv 


TEMPLE   PRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH.  147 

organized  under  the  same.  The  objects  of  the  Asso- 
ciation were  set  forth  in  the  preamble,  as  follows : 

"  We,  the  undersigned  persons,  citizens  of  the 
Commonwealth  of  Pennsylvania,  worshiping  in  the 
Central  Presbyterian  Church  of  the  ITorthern  Liber- 
ties, desirous  of  imitating  our  Lord  and  Master, 
Jesus  Christ,  who,  when  upon  the  earth,  went  about 
doing  good,  have  formed  ourselves  into  a  society 
to  give  religious  instruction  to  children  on  the 
Sabbath  day,  between  the  hours  of  divine  service 
in  the  church,  and,  if  need  be,  to  search  out  those 
destitute  of  religious  instruction,  and  convene  them 
together  in  the  Sabbath  School,  and,  by  our  pre- 
cept and  example,  aided  by  Divine  grace,  lead  them 
to  a  saving  knowledge  of  the  truths  contained  in  the 
Holy  Bible." 

This  first  Association  was  disbanded  on  June  2d, 
1842 ;  but  on  the  very  next  day,  another  Associa- 
tion, with  similar  objects  in  view,  and  similar  laws 
to  govern  it,  was  organized.  From  time  to  time, 
reorganizations  have  taken  place,  but  up  to  the  pre- 
sent time  there  exists  "  The  Sabbath  School  Associa- 
tion." The  direction  of  the  school  is  under  its 
control.  By  it  all  the  ofiicers  in  the  Sabbath  School 
are  elected  ;  and  to  it  all  reports  of  the  work  done  in 
that   special  field  are  submitted.     All  the  teachers 


148  HISTORY   OF   THE 

and  officers  in  the  school,  upon  their  election,  and 
signing  the  constitution,  are  regarded  in  full  mem- 
bership. 

THE    MAIN    SCHOOL. 

At  the  first,  all  scholars  were  taught  in  the  same 
room.  Then  there  was  the  division  into  male  and 
female  departments.  On  March  7th,  1841,  the  larger 
scholars,  of  both  these  departments,  were  brought 
together  in  the  Lecture  Eoom  (and  formed  what  we 
denominate  the  "  Main  School "),  under  the  superin- 
tendence of  Mr.  B.  !N'aglee.  This  school  has  continued 
with  varied  success  ever  since.  Up  to  the  time  of 
removal  to  our  present  location,  the  greatest  number 
of  scholars  reported  was  in  January,  1859,  when  the 
roll  contained  257  names.  The  greatest  number  of 
teachers  reported  was  29,  in  I^ovember,  1858.  At 
the  time  of  the  last  report  prior  to  our  removal,  there 
were  121  scholars  enrolled,  with  an  average  attend- 
ance of  77.  This  number  was  considerably  dimin- 
ished when  we  first  entered  our  new  church,  but  at 
the  present  there  are  210  scholars. 

The  school  has  also  7  officers  and  35  teachers. 
Upon  coming  to  the  new  church,  the  classes  were 
designated  by  scriptural  or  other  names,  chosen  by 
the  teachers  and   scholars   according  to  their  own 


TEMPLE   PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH.  149 

preferences,  and  associated  with  these  names  were 
appropriate  mottoes. 

BIBLE   CLASSES. 

While  no  definite  information  can  be  found  upon 
the  records  concerning  Bible  Classes  existing  in  the 
school  during  its  earlier  history,  we  know,  by  occa- 
sional references,  that  this  part  of  the  work  was  not 
overlooked.  It  would  appear  that  at  times  the  sexes 
were  separated,  and  then  again  brought  into  the 
same  class  together.  The  first  recorded  information 
on  the  subject  is  concerning  a  class  organized  June 
16th,  1861,  by  Mr.  S.  L.  Kirk,  At  first  it  num- 
bered 2  male  and  7  female  scholars.  The  whole 
number  afterwards  increased  to  22.  On  March  19th, 
1866,  the  class  was  divided,  and  two  classes,  one 
male,  and  the  other  female,  were  formed ;  the  first 
under  the  charge  of  Mr.  Morris  Ebert,  and  the  other 
under  the  charge  of  Mr.  D.  C.  Golden.  At  the  pre- 
sent time  there  are  ^ve  Bible  Classes,  two  male,  and 
three  female — numbering  in  all  55  scholars. 

INFANT    SCHOOL. 

On  March  7th,  1841,  the  Infant  School  was  orga- 
nized. Tlie  primary  object  was  to  educate  the  "little 
ones  "  sufficiently  to  enable  them  to  take  their  places 


150  HISTORY   OF   THE 

in  the  classes  of  the  "  Main  School."  This  school  is 
still  in  active  operation.  A  superintendent  and 
three  assistants,  hy  various  methods,  teach  them  to 
recite  passages  of  Scripture,  answers  to  questions  in 
Catechism,  and  such  hymns  as  are  easily  understood 
by  the  young.  From  this  school  there  are  trans- 
ferred from  time  to  time,  into  the  Main  School, 
scholars  who  are  advanced  sufficiently  to  read  and 
understand  the  Bible.  The  school  now  numbers  200 
scholars. 

MISSION   SCHOOLS. 

The  "lN"azarene,"  which  came  under  the  control  of 
the  Association  when  it  was  first  organized,  con- 
tinued in  existence  until  May  7th,  1840,  when  it  waff 
discontinued  as  a  separate  school,  because  the  build- 
ing in  which  it  was  held  had  to  be  taken  down  at 
the  time  of  the  widening  of  Girard  avenue.  At  that 
time  it  was  united  with  the  Eastburn,  or  Fourth 
Street  School. 

The  Fourth  Street  School  ceased  to  make  reports 
to  the  Association,  from  May  7th,  1840 ;  and,  from 
the  silence  of  the  recor  ds,  we  judge  it  had  no  connec- 
tion  with  the  Association  from  that  time. 

A  Mission  School  was  organized  about  the  year 
1841,  at  the  northwest  corner  of  Tenth  and  Coates 
streets.     It  had  7  teachers  and  35' scholars. 


TEMPLE   PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH.  151 

A  Mission  School  was  organized  February  11th, 
1857,  in  Poplar  street,  above  Fifth.  Mr.  Wm.  San- 
derson, Sr.,  was  the  superintendent,  and  he  was 
a  ssisted  by  a  corps  of  twelve  teachers.  The  number  of 
scholars  increased  from  40  to  110,  This  school  was 
discontinued  May  9th,  1858.  It  was  merged  into  a 
Mission  School,  which  at  that  time  was  established  in 
the  American  Mechanics'  Hall,  at  the  corner  of  Fourth 
and  George  streets.  This  school  was  at  diflerent 
times  under  the  direction  of  Messrs.  G.  C,  Bower, 
Wm.  Sanderson,  Sr.,  and  C.  C.  Aitken,  It  had  upon 
its  roll  26  teachers  and  355  scholars.  After  an  exist- 
ence of  three  years  and  four  months,  it  was  removed 
to  the  church  in  July,  1861, 

The  "  Allen  Street  School "  was  taken  in  charge 
January,  1859,  Mr,  C,  C.  Aitkin  was  superintendent, 
and  the  average  attendance  of  scholars  about  85. 
The  room  in  which  the  school  was  held  had  to  be 
vacated,  and  it  being  impossible  to  secure  another 
suitable  in  the  neighborhood,  the  school  was  dis- 
banded in  I^ovember  of  the  same  year. 

On  September  21st,  1868,  a  communication  from 
Mr.  L  M,  Price,  superintendent  of  the  "Union 
Mission  School,"  at  the  southwest  corner  of  Mnth 
and  Girard  Avenue,  was  received,  asking  that  his 
school  be  brought  into  connection  with  our  "  Asso- 


152  HISTORY   OF   THE 

elation."  The  school  had  a  library,  singing  and  text 
books,  -^ve  teachers  and  about  forty  scholars.  It 
having  been  stated  that  Mr.  B.  D.  Stewart  had  agreed 
to  pay  the  rent  of  the  hall,  and  that  it  was  desirable 
in  view  of  our  proposed  removal  to  that  neighbor- 
hood to  commence  Sunday  School  operations  there, 
the  "  Union  Mission  School "  was  taken  under  our 
jurisdiction,  and  the  teacher's  names  enrolled  as  mem- 
bers of  the  "  Association."  This  school  was  merged 
into  the  church  school  as  soon  as  it  was  transferred 
to  the  new  building.  At  the  present  time  we  have 
no  school  operations  outside  of  our  church.  Since 
occupying  this  field  we  have  districted  the  neighbor- 
hood, appointed  visiting  committees  to  canvass  it 
and  procure  new  scholars,  and  have  tried  to  have  the 
school  all  that  its  warmest  friends  could  desire.  The 
number  of  scholars  at  present  enrolled,  is  470. 

MONTHLY  PRAYER  MEETING. 

In  April,  1857,  the  "  Association  "  adopted  a  reso- 
lution, providing  for  the  holding  of  a  prayer  meeting 
on  the  first  Sabbath  afternoon  in  every  month,  at  the 
close  of  the  regular  Sabbath  School  exercises.  This 
time  was  afterwards  named  by  the  "  Association," 
as  "  Missionary  Afternoon."  With  occasional  inter- 
ruption'^ a  prayer  meeting  has  been  hold  on  that 


TEMPLE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH.  153 

afternoon  since  its  appointment,  and  God  has  often 
blessed  it  in  the  way  of  encouraging  the  teachers, 
strensTthenino:  their  faith  and  converting  the  scholars. 

LIBRARY. 

We  have  not  been  able  to  discover  when  and  to 
what  extent  a  library  was  first  introduced  into  the 
Sabbath  School.  Knowing,  however,  that  it  was 
deemed  an  essential  part  of  a  well  ordered  school  in 
the  parent  Presbyterian  Church  of  the  !N"orthern 
Liberties,  as  early  as  1827,  we  may  conclude  it  was 
provided  for  at  the  very  beginning  of  our  school  ope- 
rations. The  first  report  which  we  have  upon  the 
subject,  July  5th,  1842,  mentions  514  books  upon  the 
catalogue,  but  only  311  fit  for  use.  At  fhe  present 
time  the  books  are  all  equal  to  new  in  appearance  and 
condition,  and  number  850  volumes. 

SUNDAY   SCHOOL   PAPERS. 

In  the  year  1849,  "The  Youth's  Penny  Gazette," 
a  Sunday  School  paper,  was  introduced  into  the 
school,  and  from  that  time  until  the  present,  some 
paper,  previously  agreed  upon  by  the  "Association," 
has  been  distributed  at  least  monthly  among  the 
scholars.     At  the  present  time,  the  larger  scholars 


154  HISTORY  OF  THE 

receive  "  The  Presbyterian  Sabbath  School  Visitor," 
published  by  our  own  "Board,"  and  the  infant 
scholars, "  Morning  Light,"  published  by  the  "  Ameri- 
can Tract  Society." 

REWARDS, 

The  system  of  rewards  was  introduced  into  the 
school,  in  September,  1840.  To  encourage  the 
scholars  in  punctuality,  good  behaviour,  committing 
to  memory  verses  of  scripture,  or  recitations  in  the 
catechism,  they  were  promised  tickets  of  red  or  hlue^ 
which  had  printed  upon  them  a  verse  or  verses  of 
scripture.  A  value  was  fixed  on  these  tickets,  (one 
of  red  being  equal  to  ten  of  blue),  and  they  were 
given  to  the  scholars  according  to  their  conduct  or 
attainments,  as  measured  by  a  standard  determined 
upon  by  the  "  Association." 

When  a  scholar  secured  a  number  of  these  tickets, 
upon  returning  them,  he  was  entitled  to  a  book, 
worth  as  much  as  the  tickets,  to  which  also  a  money 
value  had  been  given.  This  method  of  rewarding  the 
scholars  continued  with  occasional  variations,  until 
we  entered  our  new  church. 

A  system  of  merit  tickets  (or  merit  certificates) 
has  since  been  adopted.  On  the  face  of  these  certifi- 
cates, is  marked  their  value — one^  five  or  ten.     The 


TEMPLE   PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH.  155 

scholars  receive  these,  according  as  they  deserve  them, 
for  "  bringing  in  new  scholars  ;  punctuality  ;  regularity  ; 
recitations  in  Scriptures^  Catechism^  ^c."  A  certain 
number  of  ten  merit  tickets  entitle  the  holder  to 
have  his  name  placed  on  "  The  Roll  of  Honor,"  or  to 
have  a  "badge"  marked  "Diligent,"  "Faithful," 
"  Excellent,"  or  "  Distinguished,"  as  the  case  may  be. 
Other  rewards  follow  for  continuance  in  well-doing ; 
such  as  the  reception  of  Bibles  or  other  books  ;  and 
classes  which  have  attained  distinction  receive,  on 
anniversary  day,  class  banners  appropriately  marked. 
The  Session  of  the  church  also  encourages  the  scholars 
in  the  study  of  the  Shorter  Catechism,  by  giving  to 
such  as  may  commit  it  to  memory  a  copy  of  the 
Bible. 

The  rewarding  of  scholars  for  work  done  during 
the  year  is  a  pleasing  feature  of  our  anniversary  day, 
which  is  observed  on  or  about  the  1st  of  May  in 
every  year. 

MISSIONARY   SPIRIT. 

In  June,  1839,  there  was  formed  what  was  denomi- 
nated "  The  Sabbath  School  Juvenile  Missionary  So- 
ciety." The  object  of  this  society  was  to  excite  and  in- 
crease a  missionary  spirit  among  the  children.    This 


156  HISTORY   OF   THE 

society,  as  such,  has  passed  out  of  existence,  but  the  ob- 
jects and  aims  for  which  it  was  formed  are  remembered 
and  cherished.  Looking  over  the  records,  we  learn 
that  at  one  time  the  contributions  are  for  a  "  library," 
to  be  sent  to  the  Cherokee  Mission  ;  at  another,  they 
are  designed  for  the  education  of  young  men  in  Con- 
stantinople. IlTow  they  go  to  a  needy  school  in  New 
York ;  now  to  one  nearer  home ;  now  to  a  French, 
and  now  to  an  Indian  missionary.  iN'ow  to  the 
home  field,  and  now  to  the  foreign  field.  Other  ob- 
jects than  those  distinctively  missionary  are  remem- 
bered. Money,  at  one  time,  is  raised  and  given  for 
the  soldiers'  orphans  at  Gettysburg ;  at  another,  for 
the  sufferers  by  the  fire  at  Chicago.  The  whole  field 
for  Christian  labor  and  Christian  sympathy  is  kept 
in  view,  and  the  children,  by  monthly  or  by  special 
contributions,  do  something  for  the  general  cause  of 
missions,  or  give  their  support  to  some  specified 
object. 

To  support  the  school,  the  scholars  and  teachers 
contribute  monthly  to  what  is  known  as  the  "  Sun- 
day School  Fund."  The  money  received  from  this 
source  is  not  sufficient  for  the  purpose  intended.  It 
has  always  been  the  effort  of  the  Association  to  have 
the  school  perfect  in  its  arrangements  and  appoint- 
ments.    The  contributions  in  the  school,  over  and 


TEMPLE   PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH.  167 

above  what  goes  to  missionary  and  special  purposes, 
are  not  large  enough  to  meet  the  requirements  of  a 
school  in  these  days.  Hence  we  have  an  annual  col- 
lection in  the  church,  on  or  about  the  third  Sabbath 
in  December.  This  is  the  only  opportunity  the  con- 
gregation has  during  the  year  to  give  to  the  Sabbath 
School  cause.  About  the  time  of  this  collection,  the 
school  receives  a  legacy  of  §50  from  the  estate  of  Mr. 
Benjamin  IlTaglee,  its  first  superintendent.  To  sup- 
plement these  collections,  necessity  has  compelled  the 
Association  to  hold,  at  different  times,  concerts,  ex- 
hibitions, &c.,  in  order  to  meet  the  demands  upon  its 
treasury.  In  these  several  ways  the  school  has  not 
only  been  maintained  free  from  debt,  but  enabled  to 
do  a  work  for  others  beyond  its  own  sphere. 

Under  the  direction  of  Mr.  Lewis  Davis,  Librarian, 
the  Library  Room  in  the  new  church  was  fitted  up 
at  an  expense  of  $110,  and  the  money  paid  from  the 
library  fund.  The  table  in  that  room  was  presented 
by  Mr.  Geo.  D.  B.  Kelly,  409  Brown  street. 

The  school  became  interested  in  the  work  of  build- 
ing the  new  church,  and  gave  over  and  above  their 
other  contributions  towards  its  completion.  l!Tot 
only  do  we  find  the  "young  people"  credited  with 
an  amount  towards  the  "  construction  fund,"  but 
mention  also  is  made  of  special  objects. 


158  HISTORY   OF   THE 

"  Calvary  Bible  Class "  gave  the  window  which 
bears  its  motto,  "  In  Christ's  Death  we  have  our 
Life ;"  also,  the  Oxford  edition  of  the  Bible,  which 
is  on  the  pulpit. 

"ISTaomi  Class"  gave  the  window  which  bears  its 
motto,  "May  Christ  make  our  Lives  Beautiful ;^^ 
also,  the  table  on  which  to  place  the  baptismal 
bowl. 

"  Cross-Bearers' Bible  Class"  had  the  communion 
service  renovated,  and  "  Lilies  of  the  Yalley  "  Class 
furnished  the  marker  for  the  pulpit  Bible ;  while 
both  joined  with  the  rest  of  the  classes  in  giving  the 
windows  bearing  the  mottoes,  "  Here  the  Cross ; 
Hereafter  the  Crown;"  "Jesus  gives  Grace  and 
Glory." 

The  school  has  often  been  visited  by  the  Holy 
Spirit,  with  his  convicting  and  converting  power. 
Many  of  its  scholars  have  become  active  members  of 
the  church  ;  and  as  its  numbers  increase,  we  look  for 
a  corresponding  increase  in  the  membership  of  the 
church. 

We  regard  the  Sunday  School  work  of  the  church 
as  the  most  important  which  claims  our  attention. 
Hence  we  have  labored  in  it,  and  encouraged  others 
to   labor.     We   have   been  blessed  with  a  faithful 


TEMPLE   PRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH.  159 

corps  of  teachers,  and  we  have  no  doubt  that  many 
will  hereafter  call  them  blessed. 

"  He  that  goeth  forth  and  weepeth,  bearing  precious 
seed,  shall  doubtless  come  again  with  rejoicing,  bringing 
his  sheaves  with  him" 


THE  LADIES'  AID  SOCIETY. 


11 


TEMPLE    PRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH.  163 


XIII. 

"  THE   ladies'    aid   SOCIETY." 

"While  it  is  conceded  that  the  male  members  of 
every  church  and  congregation  should  direct  its 
affairs,  it  is  a  question  whether  there  ever  was  a 
church  building  begun,  and  successfully  carried  for- 
ward to  completion,  without  the  help  of  ladies. 

As  at  the  first,  women  brought  bracelets,  and  ear- 
rings, and  jewels  of  gold,  for  the  building  of  the 
Tabernacle ;  so,  until  the  last,  when  a  house  is  to  be 
built  unto  the  Lord,  we  will  find  women  earnestly 
engaged  therein. 

We  Presbyterians  are  not  easily  carried  away  with 
the  popular  clamor  of  the  day,  about  "Woman's 
Rights ;"  but  in  view  of  what  our  ladies  have  done 
for  the  church,  we  concede  it  as  a  "right"  that  their 
work  should  be  historically  recorded. 

In  the  early  history  of  our  church,  we  find  occa- 
sional allusions  to  "  The  Mite  Society."  ^o  definite 
information  is  given  of  its  organization,  or  the  ex- 
tent of  its  work.  All  we  know  is,  that  it  was  under 
the  control  of  the  ladies,  and  the  object  in  view  was 
to  relieve  the  corporation  of  its  financial  troubles. 


164  HISTORY    OF    THE 

In  Jannary,  1851,  there  was  a  vote  of  thanks  ten- 
dered by  the  Board  of  Trustees  to  the  ladies,  for  the 
"  liberal  and  handsome  donation  of  $100  towards 
defraying  the  expenses  incurred  in  carpeting  the 
church,"  after  certain  alterations  had  been  made. 

At  other  times,  when  the  congregation  was  greatly 
embarrassed,  we  see  mention  made  of  certain  ladies 
who  came  forward  and  gave  liberally  towards  its 
relief. 

As  early  as  the  year  1866,  when  the  subject  of  our 
removal  to  another  locality  began  to  be  agitated,  the 
ladies,  without  waiting  for  an  organization  to  be 
perfected,  made  arrangements  for  the  holding  of  a 
"  Fair." 

Without  exception,  all  cheerfully  engaged  in  the 
work.  Man}^,  at  their  own  homes,  made  useful  and 
fancy  articles ;  many  interested  their  friends,  in  and  out 
of  the  city,  to  work  for  them.  Times  were  fixed  when, 
as  a  body,  they  met  at  each  other's  houses  to  labor 
and  consult  together,  and  provide  for  the  successful 
carrying  on  of  the  enterprise. 

When  all  things  were  in  readiness,  the  Fair  was 
commenced,  and  continued  for  several  days,  in  Decem- 
ber, 1866,  at  the  Hall  southwest  corner  of  Kinth  and 
Spring  Garden  streets.  When  it  closed  there,  it  was 
with  the  understandino;  that  it  should  be  continued 


TEMPLE    PRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH.'  165 

at  some  other  time  in  the  Lecture  Room  of  the 
church.  Here  it  was  opened  in  June,  1867,  and  con- 
tinued for  several  days. 

There  being  no  immediate  demand  for  the  money 
thus  secured,  it  was  invested  in  Government  bonds, 
until  the  Fall  of  1868,  when  it  uas  paid  over  to  the 
Board  of  Trustees  as  part  of  wdiat  was  needed  to  pur- 
chase our  present  church  site. 

This  contribution  from  the  ladies  was  $1,166.81, 
and  was  the  first  available  money  the  church  had  when  it 
determined  to  move. 

In  June,  1869,  in  order  to  systematize  their  work, 
they  met  at  the  house  of  Mrs.  Hannah  ITaglee,  and 
organized  "  The  Mite  Society."  Officers  were  chosen, 
and  twenty-four  managers  were  appointed.  The  spe 
cial  duty  of  these  managers  was  to  secure  a  small 
voluntary  contribution,  monthly^  from  every  member 
of  the  church,  or  from  such  friends  of  the  church  as 
felt  disposed  to  give.  Being  formed  into  an  orga- 
nized society,  the  ladies  were  better  enabled  to  adopt 
other  methods  for  securing  funds.  They  fixed  as  the 
special  object  of  their  labors,  "  the  furnishing  of  the 
new  church." 

Under  the  auspices  of  this  society,  it  was  deter- 
mined to  give  a  "  Supper."  Again,  it  was  arranged 
to  give  the  supper  in  the  new  church  building.     "We 


166  HISTORY   OF   THE 

dare  say  that  never  did  ladies  so  generally  and  so 
energetically  engage  in  any  undertaking.  Evening 
after  evening  they  met,  and  planned,  and  prepared  to 
provide  satisfactorily  for  a  large  number  of  persons  ; 
and  evenings  of  planning  and  preparation  were  fol- 
lowed by  days  of  "  ticket  selling." 

February  17th,  1870,  was  the  time  fixed  upon  for 
the  supper.  When  that  evening  arrived,  the  crowd 
which  filled  the  building  gave  evidence  that  the 
ladies  had  done  their  work  well.  It  was  estimated 
that  at  least  one  thousand  persons  sat  down  at  the 
tables,  and  there  was  a  clear  gain  to  the  treasury  of 
the  "  Mite  Society,"  by  this  effort,  of  $807.02. 

After  coming  to  the  new  church,  other  ladies  who 
joined  our  congregation  became  interested  in  the 
work,  and  in  ITovember,  1870,  a  Fair  was  held  for 
some  days  in  the  main  audience  room,  which  was 
still  in  an  unfinished  condition.  At  the  close  of  the 
Fair,  a  supper  was  given.  With  the  same  energy 
which  characterized  the  former  effort,  the  ladies  en- 
gaged in  this,  and  increased  their  treasury  $1,375.00. 

In  Januar}^,  1871,  the  name  of  the  organization 
was  changed ;  and  with  occasional  changes  in  offi- 
cers and  managers  since,  it  now  exists  under  the  title 
of  "  The  Ladies'  Aid  Society."  'Not  omitting  to  col- 
lect monthly  from  subscribers,  the  Society,  since  its 


TEMPLE   PRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH.  167 

formation,  has  adopted,  from  time  to  time,  other  ex- 
pedients to  raise  means  to  carry  forward  the  work 
-contemplated.  Festivals,  Tea  Drinkings,  Select 
Readings,  Public  and  Parlor  Concerts,  have  been 
resorted  to ;  and  from  these  various  sources  more 
than  $6,000  have  been  raised. 

While  the  ladies  have  contributed  to  the  Con- 
struction Fund  of  the  church,  they  have  kept  in  view 
the  object  they  proposed  at  the  beginning,  viz. :  "the 
furnishing  of  the  church  ;"  and  as  a  matter  of  inte- 
rest, as  well  as  of  information,  since  that  work  is 
one,  we  itemize  the  disbursements: 


LECTURE   ROOM. 

For  Upholstering,   - 
^'     Matting,  and  putting  it  down, 
*"     Pulpit  carj^ets,- 

-     $333.99 
221.11 

56,80 

Total,-  -  -  -  $611.90 


In  addition  to  this,  they  received  as  donations : 

From  I.  H.  Wisler,  12  chairs. 

"      Wm.  R.  Stewart,  mirror  for  pastor's  study. 
^'      Wm.  Hogg,  Jr.,  carpets  for  study  and  class-room. 
■"      Wm .  Sanderson,  Sr.,  furniture  for  pastor's  study. 


168  HISTOKY    OP   THE 

MAIN    AUDIENCE    ROOM. 


Pulpit  furniture,     -            -            - 

Carpets, 

Matting  in  vestibules,  &c.,  - 

Upholstering,     -             -             -         .    - 

-  $647.00 

968.00 

-  403.82 
1,251.69 

Total, 
They  received  also  as  donations : 

-$3,270.51 

From  Allen  &  Brother,  the  boquet  table  in  the  pul- 
pit, and 
"      R.  Dornan,  the  pulpit  mat. 

This  showing  is  surely  gratifying ;  and  may  we 
not  believe  that  the}^  who  have  ah^eady  accomplished 
so  much,  with  continued  determination  will  accom- 
plish still  more  ?  Many  of  the  ladies  have,  as  indi- 
viduals, been  generous  contributors,  but  their  joined 
hands  enabled  them  to  do  a  work  of  which  we  all 
are  justly  proud. 


TEMPLE    PRESBYTERIAN   CIIURCIL  169 


A  CLOSING  THOUGHT. 


A  review  of  the  period  since  you  and  I  were 
brought  together,  as  pastor  and  people,  compels  to 
grateful  thanksgiving. 

It  is  now  more  than  eleven  vears  since,  for  the 
first  time,  I  occupied  your  pulpit.  It  is  fast  ap- 
proaching that  time,  since,  by  Presbyterial  action, 
we  were  joined  in  our  present  relation. 

Those  years  have  been  fraught  with  wonder  in  the 
world.  'Not  to  speak  of  the  overturnings  beyond  the 
seas,  we  have  witnessed  the  wonder  workings  of  the 
Lord  Omnipotent  in  our  own  land.  Through  the 
fires  of  war,  our  country  has  received  a  new  baptism. 
There  have  been  wonders  in  the  church  at  large,  and 
our  own  denomination  has  been  surprisingly  wrought 
upon. 

1^0  longer  does  one  say,  "  I  am  Old  School,^'  and 
another,  "  I  am  Neiv  School^'^  but,  without  prefix  or 


170  HISTORY    OF    THE 

affix,  we  delight,  in  Union  ^  to  say,  "We  are  Pre&by 
terians." 

The  preceding  pages  tell  the  story  of  our  indi- 
vidual church. 

When  we  think  of  the  past,  and  look  on  the  pre- 
sent, in  wonderment  we  a'sk,  "  What  hath  God 
wrouo^ht  ?" 

Since  we  first  were  wedded  in  this  church  relation,  I 
have  wept  with  you,  and  you  have  wept  with  nie, 
over  loved  ones,  snatched  from  the  arms  of  our  earthly 
affection,  and  together,  in  our  sorrow,  have  we  gone 
and  told  Jesus, 

The  church  in  heaven  is  more  brilliant,  because  of 
those  we  gave  it  from  our  church  on  earth. 

Upon  the  heads  of  many,  either  in  infant  days  or 
adult  years,  have  I  sprinkled  the  waters  of  baptism, 
and  to  many  have  I  given  the  hand  of  fellowship,  as, 
for  the  first  time,  they  came  to  the  table  of  the  Lord. 

It  is  pleasing  to  think  that  nothing  has  transpired 
to  break  the  peace  which  should  ever  be  between 
pastor  and  people. 

To  your  kindness^  forbearance  and  charity^  under 
God,  I  must  attribute  the  unbroken  harmony  which 
has  been,  and  which,  I  trust,  will  continue  to  be. 

Considering  the  infirmities  of  our  nature,  the 
weaknesses  and   misunderstand  in  2;s  of  life,  it  is  a 


TEMPLE   PRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH.  171 

cause  of  thankfulness  to  God  that  he  has  kept  us 
together  as  one. 

Building  a  church  is  the  rock  on  which  many  a 
congregation  has  split.  Yet  under  great  difficulties 
we  began,  continued,  and  for  more  than  a  year  have 
worshipped  in  the  building  finished  and  dedicated, 
and  the  congregation  is  intact. 

To  the  praise  of  Grod  let  it  be  written,  that  during 
the  whole  of  our  building  operations  there  was  no 
jarring  and  no  break  in  our  harmony.  While,  be- 
cause of  our  manhood^  there  were  diiferences  of 
opinion,  there  were  no  disturbances.  There  was 
bearing  as  well  as  forbearing ;  and  at  any  time,  from 
the  commencement  of  the  work  until  its  close,  could 
I  have  raised  my  hands  over  the  congregation  and 
said,  "How  sweet  and  how  pleasant  it  is  for  you, 
brethren,  to  dwell  together  in  unity."     So   may   it 

ALWAYS  BE  SAID. 

Let  us  labor  and  serve  together,  waiting  for  the 
Master's  call,  when  from  the  church  militant  we 
shall  rise  to  the  Church  Triumphant ;  where  no  fear 
will  ever  be,  of  mistakes,  misconceptions  and  misun- 
derstandings, but  where,  in  unbroken  unity,  we  will 
serve  God  forever  and  forever. 


ORDER  OF  EXERCISES; 

TOGETHEH  WITH  THE 

FORM    USED 

BY  THE   PASTOR, 

AT   THE 

D  E  Die  ATION 


OF  THE 


NEW    CHURCH, 


N.    K.   CORKER  OF 


Franklin  and  Thompson   Streets, 


FEBRUARY  4th,    1878. 


TEMPLE    PRESBYTERIAN    CHURCH.  175 


ORDER   OF   EXERCISES. 


Invocation  hy  the  Pastor. 


SINGING  THE  HYMN- 

Before  Jehovah *s  awful  throne, 
Ye  nations  bow  with  sacred  joy  ,' 

Know  that  the  Lord  is  God  alone. 
He  can  create,  and  he  destroy. 

His  sov'reign  power,  without  our  aid, 
Made  us  of  clay,  and  form'd  us  men ; 

And  when  like  wandering  sheep  we  strayed. 
He  brought  us  to-  his  fold  again. 

We'll  crov/d  thy  gatev«  with  thankful  songs. 
High  as  the  heavens  our  voices  raise ; 

And  earth,  with  her  ten  thousand  tongues, 
Shall  fill  thy  courts  with  sounding  praise. 

Wide  as  the  world  is  thy  command ; 

Vast  as  eternity  thy  love ; 
Firm  as  a  rock  thy  truth  shall  stand, 

When  rolling  years  shall  cease  to  move. 


176  HISTORY   OF   THE 

Reading  the  J/^Sth  Psalm. 
By  Rev.  B.  B.  Parsons,  D.D. 

Prayer^ 
By  Rev.  William  Speer,  D.D. 

SINGING   THE    HYMN, 

All  hail  the  power  of  Jesus'  name! 

Let  angels  prostrate  fall ; 
Bring  forth  the  royal  diadem, 

And  crown  him  Lord  of  all. 

Sermon^ 

By  the  Pastor,  Rev.  Jas.  Y.  Mitchell. 

Text— ''What  hath  God  wrought?'' — Numbers,  xxiii.  23. 

COLLECTION. 

Dedicatory  Exercises. 


*  The  singing  was  by  the  congregation,  and  was  led  by  tlie  Precentor,  Wm.  H. 
Moyer,  and  tlie  Organist,  Mrs.  Eliza  McKinley. 


TEMPLE    PRESBYTERIAN    CHURCH.  177 


FORM    USED    AT    THE    DEDICATION.^ 

[After  the  sermon  und  collection,  the  pastor  re- 
quested the  Elders,  Trustees,  and  heads  of  families, 
to  come  forward  and  arrange  themselves  in  front  of 
the  pulpit,  and  the  other  memhers  of  the  congrega- 
gation  to  rise  in  their  places.] 

The  pastor  then  said : 

According  to  the  notice  puhlicly  given,  we  have 
assembled  to  day  to  dedicate  this  house  to  the  wor- 
ship of  the  only  living  and  true  God — Jehovah, 
Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghost.  'Now,  if  it  is  your 
desire  that  we  should  proceed  to  this  service,  let  the 
Elders  and  the  Trustees,  together  with  all  the  mem- 
bers of  the  congregation,  declare  unto  us,  and  say : 

Have  you  been  moved  to  the  erection  of  this  edi- 
fice by  a  sincere  desire  to  continue  among  you  the 
regular  and  solemn  worship  of  the  Most  High  God, 
for  the  spiritual  benefit  of  yourselves  and  your  fami- 
lies, and  of  this  community  ? 

Ansioer. — We  have. 

Is  it  your  desire,  and  your  solemn  purpose,  that 
this  edifice  shall  be  a  house  of  worship,  and  devoted 
sacredly  to  the  ordinances  of  religion,  according  to 


*  From  the  Presbyterian  Manual. 

12 


178  HISTORY   OF  THE 

the  customs  and  order  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in 
these  United  States? 

Answer. — It  is. 

Do  you  now,  with  one  heart,  give  up  this  house  to 
God,  the  Father,  the  Son,  and  the  Holy  Ghost,  to  be 
henceforth  a  house  of  prayer,  a  temple  to  his  praise ; 
and  do  you  promise  to  provide  for  and  to  maintain 
here  religious  worship,  seeing  to  it  that  nothing 
shall  be  wanting  that  may  be  needful  for  the  decency, 
and  propriety,  and  convenience  thereof,  according  to 
the  customs  and  order,  as  aforesaid,  of  the  Presbyte- 
rian Church  ? 

Answer. — We  do. 

Blessed  be  the  Lord  God,  who  hath  put  it  into 
your  hearts  to  build  this  house  unto  his  name.  The 
Lord  accept  the  labor  of  your  hands,  which  you  have 
offered  unto  him  this  day,  and  make  good  to  you, 
and  to  your  children  after  you,  the  word  which  he 
hath  spoken.  "  In  all  places  where  I  record  my 
name,  I  will  come  unto  thee,  and  I  will  bless  thee." 

Let  us  pray. 

PRAYER"^. 

Holy,  holy,  holy  Lord  God  Almighty,  which  is, 
and  was,  and  is  to  come.     The  whole  earth  is  full  of 

*  From  the  "Book  of  Piibiic  Prayer,"  compiled  Trom  ihe  authorized  f  irmu- 
1  aries  of  worship  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  as  prepar  d  by  the  Reformers, 
CbItiii,  Knox,  and  other?. 


TEMPLE    PRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH.  179 

Thy  glory !  Thine,  0  Lord,  is  the  greatness,  and  the 
power,  and  the  glory,  and  the  victory,  and  the  ma- 
jesty ;  for  all  that  is  in  the  heaven  and  in  the  earth 
are  Thine.  I^ow,  therefore,  we  thank  Thee,  0  God, 
and  praise  Thy  glorious  Name. 

But  who  are  we,  that  we  should  be  able  to  oifer 
so  willingly  after  this  sort  ?  For  all  things  come  of 
Thee,  and  of  Thine  own  do  we  give  Thee  ?  O  Lord 
our  God,  all  this  store  that  we  have  prepared,  to 
build  Thee  an  house  for  Thy  holy  name,  cometh  of 
Thy  hand,  as  is  all  Thine  own. 

Now  behold,  0  Lord  our  God,  and  look  unto  this 
jjlace  where  we  are  gathered  in  Thy  name,  and  have 
respect  to  the  prayer  of  Thy  servants,  and  to  their 
supplication,  to  hearken  unto  the  cry  and  the  prayer 
that  Thy  servants  pray  before  Thee  this  day,  to  take 
for  Thine  own  this  house  which  we  would  give 
Thee. 

0  Lord  God,  who  art  from  everlasting,  and  whose 
kingdom  is  without  end.  Maker  of  heaven  and  earth 
and  sea,  and  all  that  in  them  is ;  King  of  Kings  and 
Lord  of  Lords,  Lawgiver,  Defender,  and  Judge  alone, 
to  Thee  we  dedicate  it. 

Holy  and  blessed  Trinity,  Father,  b'on  and  Holy 
Ghost,  three  Persons  in  one  God,  to  Thee  we  dedi- 
cate it. 


180  HISTORY    OF    THE 

Father  of  all  who  believe  in  Jesus,  and  God  and 
Father  of  oiir  Lord  Jesns  Christ,  here  meet  Thou 
with  Thy  children;  teach  them,  strengthen  them, 
and  bless  them.     To  Thee  we  dedicate  it. 

Son  of  God,  the  only  begotten  of  the  Father,  Head 
over  all  things,  the  Lord  om*  Righteousness,  Saviour, 
Shepherd,  High  Priest,  and  Advocate,  here  draw  all 
men  unto  Thee ;  here  sprinkle  Thy  ransomed  ones 
with  Thine  atoning  blood ;  here  make  Thy  Hock  to 
lie  down  in  green  pastures,  beside  the  living  waters ; 
here  be  Thou  a  shadow  from  the  heat  and  a  refuge 
from  the  tempest ;  and  while  Thy  people  worship  in 
the  outer  sanctuary,  pray  for  them  within  the  Holiest 
of  all.     To  Thee  we  dedicate  it. 

Holy  Ghost,  proceeding  from  the  Father  and  the 
Son,  who  didst  come  down  upon  our  Lord  Jesus  be- 
side Jordan,  and  upon  the  Church  at  the  Pentecost. 
Who  takest  up  thine  abode  in  all  believers ;  Com- 
forter, Inspirer,  Sanctifier,  here  displa}^  Thy  power, 
succeed  Thy  truth,  give  hope  to  the  penitent  and 
gladness  to  the  mourner;  subdue  Thy  foes,  hallow 
Thy  Church,  and  accomplish  all  the  glory  of  redemp- 
tion.    To  Thee  we  dedicate  it. 

Arise,  0  Lord,  into  Thy  rest.  Thou  and  the  ark  of 
Thy  strength. 

But  will  God  in  very  deed  dwell  Avith  men  on 


TEMPLE    PRESBYTERIAN    CHURCH.  181 

the  earth  ?  Behold,  the  heaven  and  heaven  of  hea- 
vens cannot  contain  Thee  ;  how  much  less  this  house 
which  we  have  builded?  Yet  dwellest  Thou  also 
with  him  that  is  of  a  contrite  and  humble  spirit. 
So  be  Thine  eyes  opened  toward  this  house  night 
and  day  ;  and  toward  the  place  of  which  Thou  hast 
said,  My  ]!^ame  shall  be  there :  and  hearken  Thou 
unto  the  supplication  of  Thy  servants,  and  of  Thy 
people  Israel,  when  they  shall  pray  toward  this 
place  ;  and  hear  Thou  in  heaven,  thy  dwelling-place ; 
and  when  Thou  hearest,  forgive.  Dwell  thou  with 
us  in  Thy  temple,  while  we  are  yet  in  the  world ; 
then  take  us  up  to  Thy  house  in  heaven,  that  we 
may  dwell  with  Thee  forever. 

Give  ear,  O  Shephei^  of  Israel ;  Thou  that  leadest 
Joseph  like  a  flock  ;  Thou  that  dwellest  between  the 
Cherubim,  shine  forth. 

How  dreadful  is  this  place !  This  is  none  other 
but  the  house  of  God,  and  this  is  the  gate  of 
heaven ! 

After  prayer,  the  congregation  sang  the  hymn  : — 

I  love  thy  kmgdom,  Lord, 

The  house  of  thine  abode, 
The  church  our  blest  Redeemer  bought 

With  his  own  precious  blood. 


182  HISTORY   OF  THE 

I  love  thy  church,  O  God ! 

Her  walls  before  thee  stand,. 
Dear  as  the  apple  of  thine  eye^ 

And  graven  on  thy  hand. 

For  her  my  tears  shall  fall, 

For  her  my  prayers  ascend ; 
To  her  my  cares  and  toils  be  givenj, 

Till  toils  and  cares  shall  end. 

Beyond  my  highest  joy, 

I  prize  her  heavenly  ways, 
Her  sweet  communion,  solemn  vowsj, 

Her  hymns  of  love  and  praise. 

Jesus,  thou  Friend  divine. 

Our  Saviour  and  our  King, 
Thy  hand  from  every  snare  and  foe 

Shall  great  deliverance  bring. 

Sure  as  thy  truth  shall  last. 

To  Zion  shall  be  given 
The  brightest  glories  earth  can  yield, 

And  brighter  bliss  of  heaven. 

This  was  followed  by  singing  tbe  Doxology : 

Praise  God  from  whom  all  blessings  flow  ;. 
Praise  him  all  creatures  here  below  ^ 
Praise  him  above,  ye  heavenly  host — 
Praise  Father,  Son  and  Holy  Ghost, 

After  which  the  congregation  was  dismissed  with 
the  Apostolic  Benediction  by  the  pastor. 


DIRECTORY. 


"  Let  all  things  be  done  decently  and  in  order." 

I  Cor. :  xiv.  40. 


TEMPLE    PRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH.  185 


CHURCH  DIRECTORY. 


RECEPTION    OF   NEW    MEMBERS. 

Persons  are  received  into  the  membership  of  this 
church  at  any  time,  by  bringing  certificates  of  dismis- 
sion from  other  churches,  or  passing  a  satisfactory 
examination  on  experimental  piety,  before  the  Ses- 
sion of  this  church. 

The  'public  reception  of  new  members  takes  place  on 
Communion  Sabbaths,  and  immediately  before  the 
administration  of  the  Sacrament  of  the  Lord's 
Supper. 

FORM    OF   RECEPTION. 

[The  pastor  having  stated,  that  at  a  meeting  of 
the  Session,  the  following  persons  were  received  into 
the  membership  of  the  church  on  profession  of  their 
faith,  shall  proceed  to  call  their  names.  Those  an- 
swering to  the  names  shall  come  from  their  seats 
and  arrange  themselves  in  front  of  the  pulpit.    While 


186  HISTORY   OF   THE 

thej  continue  standing,  the  pastor  shall  address  them 
as  follows :] 

In  the  presence  of  your  Maker,  and  of  this  assem- 
bly, 3^ou  do  now  appear,  desiring,  publicly  and 
solemnly,  to  enter  into  covenant  with  God  and  with 
this  church,  according  to  the  Gospel ;  professing  your 
full  assent  to  the  following  summary  of  faith  : 

1.  You  solemnly  and  publicly  profess  your  belief 
in  one  God,  the  Almighty,  Maker  of  heaven  and 
earth,  who  upholds  all  things,  and  orders  all  events, 
according  to  his  own  pleasure,  and  for  his  own 
glory.  Deut,  vi.  4.  Rev.  iv,  11,  Jer.  x,  10.  1  Cor, 
viii.  4,  6. 

2.  You  believe  that  this  glorious  Being  exists  in 
three  persons- — God  the  Father,  God  the  Son,  and 
God  the  Holy  Spirit ;  and  these  three  are  one,  being 
the  same  in  substance,  equal  in  power  and  glory. 
John  i,  1,  14.    Acts  v.  3,  4.    1  John  v.  7. 

3.  You  believe  that  the  Scriptures  of  the  Old  and 
Kew  Testaments  are  given  by  inspiration  of  God, 
and  are  our  only  rule  of  faith  and  practice.  2  Tim. 
iii.  16,  Isaiah  viii.  20,  2  Peter  i.  19,  20,  21.  Gal.  i, 
8,9. 

4.  You  believe  that  God  at  first  created  man  up- 
right, in  the  image  of  God ;  that  our  first  parents 


TEMPLE   PRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH.  187 

fell  from  their  original  uprightness,  and  involved 
themselves  and  their  posterity  in  a  state  of  sin  and 
misery.    Gen.  i.  27.    Rom.  v.  12.    Eph.  iv.  24. 

5.  You  believe  that  all  men,  since  the  fall,  are  by 
nature  depraved,  having  no  conformity  of  heart  to 
God,  and  being  destitute  of  all  moral  excellence. 
Gen.  vi.  5.    Ps.  xiv.  2,  3.    Eoni.  iii.  10,  18. 

6.  You  believe  that  Jesus  Christ  is  the  Saviour  of 
sinners,  and  the  only  Mediator  between  God  and 
man.    Matt.  ix.  13.    1  Tim.  ii.  5. 

7.  You  believe  in  the  necessity  of  the  renewing 
and  sanctifying  operations  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  and 
that  to  be  happy  you  must  be  holy.  John  iii.  3,  5. 
Titus  iii.  6. 

8.  You  believe  that  sinners  are  justified  by  faith 
alone,  through  the  atoning  sacrifice  of  Jesus  Christ. 
Eph.  ii.  8.    Rom.  iii.  24. 

9.  You  believe  that  the  saints  will  be  kept  by  the 
mighty  power  of  God,  from  the  dominion  of  sin,  and 
from  final  condemnation,  and  at  the  last  day  they 
will  be  raised  incorruptible,  and  be  forever  happy 
with  the  Lord.  John  x.  27,  28, 29.  Job  xix.  26,  27. 
1  Cor.  XV.  51,  54. 

10.  You  believe  the  finally  impenitent  will  be 
punished    with    everlasting    destruction    from    the 


188  HISTORY    OF   THE 

presence  of  the  Lord,  and  from  the  glory  of  his  power. 
Rev.  xxii.  15.    Matt.  xxv.  46. 

Thus  you  believe  in  your  heart,  and  thus  you  con- 
fess before  men. 

[Here  the  pastor,  descending  from  the  pulpit,  bap- 
tizes those  who  have  not  previously  been  baptized. 
Returning  to  the  pulpit,  he  addresses  all  as  fol- 
lows : — ] 

You  do  now,  under  this  belief  of  the  Christian  re- 
ligion, as  held  in  this  church,  publicly  and  solemnly 
avouch  the  Eternal  Jehovah,  Father,  Son  and  Holy 
Ghost,  to  be  your  God  and  the  God  of  yours ;  en- 
gaging to  devote  yourselves  to  his  fear  and  service, 
to  walk  in  his  ways,  and  to  keep  his  commandments. 
With  an  humble  reliance  on  his  Spirit,  you  engage 
to  live  answerably  to  the  profession  you  now  make, 
submitting  yourselves  to  the  laws  of  Christ's  kingdom, 
and  to  that  discipline  which  he  has  appointed  to  be 
administered  in  his  church.  That  you  may  obtain 
the  assistance  you  need,  j^ou  engage  diligently  to 
attend,  and  carefully  to  improve,  all  the  ordinances 
he  has  instituted. 

Thus  you  covenant,  promise  and  engage,  in  the 
fear  of  God,  and  by  the  help  of  his  Spirit. 


TEMPLE    PRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH.  189 

[The  pastor  now  announces  the  names  of  those  who 
have  been  received  by  certificate  from  other  churches, 
to2:ether  with  the  names  of  the  churches  from  which 
they  have  been  received.  As  these  names  are  called, 
the  persons  answering  to  them  rise  up  in  their 
places.] 

The  pastor  then  requests  all  the  members  of  the 
church  to  rise  and  sing : — 

Praise  God  from  whom  all  blessings  flow  ; 
Praise  him  all  creatures  here  below; 
Praise  him  above,  ye  heavenly  host ; 
Praise  Father,  Son  and  Holy  Ghost. 

[After  the  singing,  the  pastor  says  : — ] 

In  consequence  of  your  'professions  and  'promises^ 
and  hy  reason  of  your  coming  to  us  from  s  sier  churches^ 
we  aifectionately  receive  you  as  members  of  this 
church,  and  in  the  name  of  Christ  declare  you  enti- 
tled to  all  its  visible  privileges. 

We  welcome  you  to  this  fellowship  with  us  in  the 
blessings  of  the  gospel,  and  on  our  part  engage  to 
watch  over  you,  and  to  seek  your  edification,  as  long 
as  you  shall  continue  among  us.  Should  you  have 
occasion  to  remove,  it  will  be  your  duty  to  seek,. and 
ours  to  grant,  a  recommendation  to  another  church ; 
for  hereafter  you  cannot  withdraw  from  the  watch 


190  HISTORY    OF    THE 

and  communion  of  the  saints  without  a  breach  of 
covenant. 

The  people  here  join  in  singing : 

Blest  be  the  tie  that  binds 

Our  hearts  in  Christian  love; 
The  fellowship  of  kindred  minds 

Is  like  to  that  above.  . 

Before  our  Father's  throne 

We  pour  our  ardent  prayers ; 
Our  fears,  our  hopes,  our  aims,  are  one ; 

Our  comforts  and  our  cares. 

We  share  our  mutual  woes, 

Our  mutual  burdens  bear; 
A  nd  often  for  each  other  flows 

The  sympathizing  tear. 

When  we  asunder  part. 

It  gives  us  inward  pain  : 
But  we  shall  stiJl  be  joined  in  heart, 

And  hope  to  meet  again. 

[After  the  singing,  the  pastor  concludes  these  exer- 
cises with  the  following  benediction :  ] 

May  the  Lord  support  and  guide  you  through  a 
transitory  life ;  and,  after  this  warfare  is  accom- 
plished, receive  you  all  to  that  blessed  church,  where 
our  love  shall  be  forever  perfect,  and  our  joy  forever 
full.     Amen. 


TEMPLE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH.       191 


BAPTISM  OF  CHILDREN. 

While,  for  good  and  sufficient  reasons,  parents  may 
have  their  children  baptized  at  home,  the  nature  of 
the  sacrament  itself,  and  the  new  and  peculiar  rela- 
tions to  the  church  into  which  children  are  brought 
by  its  administration,  make  it  desirable  that,  as  a 
rule,  children  should  be  baptized  publicly,  in  the 
presence  of  the  church. 

Parents  may  have  their  children  baptized  on  any 
Sabbath,  provided  they  have  given  notice  to  the  pas- 
tor, or  some  member  of  the  Session,  some  time  pre- 
vious to  the  day  on  which  they  desire  the  sacrament 
to  be  administered. 

The  established  custom  of  this  church  is,  for  the 
pastor  to  announce  from  the .  pulpit,  at  least  two 
weeks  before  the  time,  that  parents  having  children 
unbaptized  are  requested  to  bring  them  forward  for 
baptism  on  the  approaching  Communion  Sabbath. 

Parents  should  consider  it  their  duty  to  furnish  the 
pastor  with  the  names  of  their  children,  dates  when 
they  were  born,  and  the  parents'  names,  prior  to  the 
administration  of  the  sacrament,  in  order  that  they 
may  be  recorded  in  the  church  books. 


192  HISTORY  OF  THE 


FORM  USED  AT  THE  BAPTISM  OF  CHILDREN. 

[When  the  sacramental  season  has  arrived,  at  the 
time  designated  in  the  "  Order  of  Worship  for 
Communion  Sabbaths."  the  pastor  shall  make  a  brief 
address  touching  the  nature  and  design  of  the  sacra- 
ment.] 

[After  the  address,  the  congregation  shall  sing  a 
hymn  appropriate  to  the  occasion.] 

[During  the  singing  of  the  last  verse  of  the  hymn, 
the  parents,  bringing  their  unbaptized  children  with 
them,  come  forward  and  stand  in  front  of  the 
pulpit.] 

When  the  singing  is  concluded,  the  pastor  shall 
say  :— 

Baptism  was  instituted  by  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
the  great  Head  of  the  Church,  to  be  a  seal  of  the 
covenant  of  grace,  and  the  ordinance  of  admission  to 
a  visible  standing  in  his  church. 

The  water  in  this  ordinance  implies  guilt  and  pol- 
lution, and  represents  to  us  justification  by  the  blood 
of  Christ,  and  regeneration  and  sanctification  by  his 
Spirit. 

But  you  are  not  to  conclude  that  this,  or  any  out- 


TEMPLE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH,        193 

ward  ordinance  whatever,  will  be  sufficient  for  the 
salvation  of  the  soul. 

It  is  the  blood  of  Christ  alone  that  cleanseth  from 
all  sin ;  and  to  this  jou  are  exhorted  ever  to  look 
for  jour  own  salvation  and  that  of  your  children. 

If  it  should  please  God  to  spare  jour  lives,  and  the 
lives  of  jour  children,  until  tliej  come  to  jears  capa- 
ble of  receiving  instruction,  it  will  be  jour  dutj  to 
teach  them,  or  cause  them  to  be  taught,  to  read  God's 
holj  word ;  to  instruct  them  in  the  great  principles 
of  the  Christian  religion  ;  to  praj  for  them  and  with 
them ;  to  set  an  example  of  pietj  and  godliness  be- 
fore them ;  and,  bj  all  th^  means  of  God's  appoint- 
ment to  bring  them  up  in  the  nurture  and  admoni- 
tion of  the  Lord. 

These  duties,  and  whatever  jou  are  convinced,  or 
shall  be  convinced,  from  the  Word  of  God,  to  be 
binding  on  jou  as  Christian  parents,  jou  do  promise 
and  covenant,  in  the  presence  of  God  and  his  church, 
that,  as  He  shall  give  jou  strength,  jou  will  endea- 
vor to  perform  and  do. 

[Upon  the  conclusion  of  this  address,  and  after  the 
parents  have  covenanted  to  perform  the  duties  en- 
joined, the  whole  congregation  shall  rise,  and  be  led 

13 


194  HISTORY   OF   THE 

in  prayer  by  the  pastor,  for  the  parents  and  children,, 
thus  solemnly  brought  before  them.] 

THE  CHILDREN  SHALL  NOW  BE  BAPTIZED. 

[After  the  baptism,  the  pastor  shall  again  lead  the 
congregation  in  prayer,  remembering  not  only  those 
ah'eady  mentioned,  but  all  the  baptized  children  of" 
the  churchy  together  with  their  parents.] 

This  prayer  concludes  the  solemn  and  impressive 
service. 


THE  LOED'S  SUPPER. 

The  seasons  of  sacramental  communion  occur  in 
the  morning  of  the  second  Sabbath  in  the  months  of 
January,  April,  July,  and  October, 

A  lecture,  or  sermon,  preparatory  to  the  Commu- 
nion season,  is  delivered  on  the  Friday  evening  next 
preceding  each  Sacramental  Sabbath. 

!N"o  trifling  excuse  should  prevent  any  member  of 
the  church  from  attending  this  service. 


TEMPLE  PRESBTTEHIAN  CnUllCIL  '  195 

ORDER  OF  WORSHIP 
For  Sabbath  3Iomings  and  Evenings. 


nrrocATiOK.* 
Concluding  with  the  Lord's  Prayer. 

Singing. 

Reading  the  Scriptures. 

Prayer.f 

Singing. 

COLLECTION. 

Reading  Pulpit  Notices. 

Sermon. 

Prayer. 

Singing. 
(  The  congregation  standing.') 

BENEDICTION. 


*  The  Invocation  is  omitted  in, the  evpnijog.  j 
t  The  congregation  stands  during  prayer. 


196^  '  HISTORY   OF  TWW- 

ORDER  OF  WORSHIP 

JF'ar  Communion  JSabbaths<, 


INVOCATION^   . 

Baptism  of  Children^ 

Singing. 

Prayer. 

Singing. 

Collection-  for  the  Sessional  and  Poor  Funds  of  the  Chttrch. 

Reading  Pulpit  Notices. 

Reading  the  Scriptures. 

Sacramental  Address. 

Invitation  to  Visiting  Christians  to  Commune  with  usv 

Reception  of  New  Members. 

Singing  the  Hymn : 

'Twas  on  that  dark  and  doleful  night, 
When  powers  of  earth  and  hell  arose 

Against  the  Son  of  God's  delight, 

And  friends  betrayed  him  to  his-  foea. 


ffEMPLE   PRESBYTEBIAIT   CHURCH,  IW 

Before  the  mournful  scene  began, 

He  took  the  bread,  and  blessed,  and  brake;; 

What  love  through  all  his  actions  ran ! 
What  wondroi^  words  of  ^grace  he  spake-! 

■*'  This  is  my  body,  broke  for  sin. 

Receive  and  eat  the  living  food ;" 
Then  took  the  cup  and  blessed  the  wine— 

"  'Tis  the  new  covenant  of  my  blood." 

'**  Do  this,"  be  cried,  "  till  time  shall  end^; 
In  memory  of  your  dying  Friend, 
Meet  at  my  table  and  record 
The  love  of  your  departed  Lord," 

J^esus,  thy  feast  we  celebrate, 

We  show  thy  death,  we  sing  thy  name, 

Till  thou  return,  and  we  shall  eat 
The  marriage  supper  of  the  Lamb. 

[During  tlie  singing  of  tliis  hymn,  tlie  pastor  and 
•elders  take  their  seats  in  front  oi  the  "Congregation, 
and  near  the  icoininunion  table.] 


Administration  of  the  Sacrament. 
Singing. 

BENEDICTION. 


198  HISTORY  OF  THE 


WEEKLY  MEETINGS. 


There  is  a  stated  weekly  Lecture  on  Wednesday 
eveningy  in  the  Lecture  Eoom, 

A  weekly  Congregational  Prayer  Meeting  is  held 
on  Friday  evening,  in  the  Lecture  Eoom, 

The  Sabhath  School  meets  every  Sabbath  after- 
?ioon.  Unless  by  direction  of  the  Sabbath  School 
Association,  its  meetings  are  ordered  to  be  held  on 
Sabbath  mornings  during  the  warm  months  of 
summer. 


MONTHLY   MEETINGS. 

The  Board  of  Trustees  meets  on  the  second  Mon> 
day  night  in  every  month. 

The  Sabbath   School  Association  meets   on  the 
fourth  Monday  night  in  every  month- 


TEMPLE   PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH.  199 

MEETINGS  OF  SESSION. 

The  first  Monday  night  in  every  month,  is  the 
stime  for  the  monthly  meeting  of  the  Session. 

Frequent  meetings  of  the  Session  are  held  previous 
to  every  Communion  Season,  of  which  due  notice  is 
.^iven  from  the  pulpit  on  the  Sahbath  preceding. 

Certificates  of  Pismission  to  other  churches  are 
^■granted  by  the  Session  of  the  church.  Application 
-for  them  should  be  made  at  least  one  week  before  the 
time  they  are  required.  No  certificate  will  be  granted 
to  a  person  who  is  in  arrears  far  pew  rent  or  other 
money  obligation  to  the  church,  unless  the  Session  is 
satisfied  that  the  arrearage  is  unavoidable,  and  the 
reason  given  will  be  perfectly  satisfactory  to  the 
Board  of  Trustees. 


ANNUAL  MEETING. 


The  annual  meeting  of  the  congregation,  for  the 
•^election  of  Trustees,  and  the  transaction  of  other 
business  appertaining  to  the  temporal  interests  of 
the  church,  is  held  on  the  second 'Monday  night  of 
•January  in  each  year. 


200 


HISTOKY  OF  THE 


FORMER  ELDERS. 


Benjamin  Naglee,     Deceased 
Charles  Elliot,  " 

John  A.  Stewart,  *^* 

Isaac  Ashmead,  " 

Wm.  T.  Donaldson,  "* 

Samuel  T.  Bodine, 


B.  D.  Stewart, 
Wm.  Sanderson, 


Elder  now  in  the  Second   Presby- 
terian Church,  German  town. 

Elder  now  in  the  !N^orth  Broad  St. 
Presbyterian  Church. 

Elder  now  in  the  Woodland  Pres- 
byterian Church. 

H,  H,  Shillingford,  Elder  now  in  Spring  Garden  Pres- 
byterian Church. 

Ceased  to  act, 

Bethesda  Presbyterian  Church. 


George  C.  Bower, 
James  Neely, 


PRESENT  ELDERS. 


Joseph  Aitken,        Abner  Lincoln, 
Joseph  F.  Jaggers, 


TEMPLE   PRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH.  201 

THE  BOARD  OF  TRUSTEES. 

The  list  here  given  shows  the  regular  succession  in 
the  Board  of  Trustees  from  the  time  the  charter  was 
granted  until  the  present  time. 

The  dates  indicate  the  time  of  the  election.  All 
elections  by  the  congregation  were,  and  still  are,  for 
three  years,  unless  it  is  specially  named  that  the  per- 
son was  elected  in  the  place  of  one  resigned,  when 
the  election  was  for  an  unexpired  term. 

Where  there  is  a  *,  it  shows  that  the  election  was 
by  the  Board  of  Trustees,  and  the  person  so  elected  was 
to  fill  the  unexpired  term  of  the  one  resigning. 

TRUSTEES  UNDER  THE  CHARTER. 

To  serve  until  the  second  Monday  in  January ^  1837. 

Beajamia  Naglee,  Charles  Elliot, 

John  A.  Setwart. 

To  serve  until  the  second  Monday  in  January^  1838. 

Edward  Patteson,  Casper  Yeager, 

Peter  Mintzer. 

To  serve  until  the  second  Monday  in  January ^  1839. 

Joseph  Pond,  Joseph  Naglee, 

John  G.  Flegel. 


20^  HISTORY  OF  THfi 

-ELECTIONS  UNDER  THE  CHAKTEE. 

January  Qth,  18S7, 

BeDJamin  Naglee,  -Charks  Elliot, 

John  A^  Stewart 

January  Sth,  i8S8» 

Wm.  P,  Aitkett,  John  T.  Smith, 

Charlfs  C,  Aitken. 

J^dward  Patteson,  vice  Joseph  Kaglee,  resigned. 

January  16th,  153-9. 

Joseph  Pond,  Jt)hn  G.  Flcgel, 

Edward  Patteson, 

January  lAih,  1840^ 

"Samuel  T.  Bodine,  John  A.  Warnerv 

Wm.  A,  MclCee. 

^John  As  Stewart,  vice  John  O.  Flegel,  resigned 

January  lUh,  184L 

Wm,  T,  Donaldson,  Elihu  D.  Tarr, 

Wm.  P.  Aitken, 

January  lOth,  1842» 

Joseph  Pond,  Wm.  Sandersofi, 

Edward  Patteson. 


TEMPLE   PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH.  203 

January  17  th,  1842. 
'''Benedict  D.  Stewart,  vice  Joseph  Pond,  resigned. 

January  16th^  1843. 

James  Morrell,  Samuel  Grice, 

G.  C.  Bower. 

C.  B.  Dungan,  vice  Edward  Patteson,  resigned. 

January  2Gth,  1843. 
*S.  T.  Bodine,  vice  James  Morrell,  resigned. 

February  2Sih,\8i3, 
*Jolin  T.  Smith,  vice  S.  T.  Bodine,  resigned, 

June  6th,  1843. 
*J.  G.  Flegel,  vice  C.  B.  Dungan,  resigned* 

• 

January  Sth,  1844. 

Edward  Patteson,  S.  T.  Bodine, 

Thomas  Beaver. 

James  Morrell,  vice  J.  T.  Smith,  resigned. 

April  im,  1844. 
^Jonathan  Leidigh,  vice  B.  D.  Stewart,  resigned. 


204  HISTORY   OP   THE 

January  ISth,  1845. 

George  W.  Morse,  Wm.  A.  McKee, 

Augustus  H.  Raiguel, 

January  12th  j  1846, 

James  Morrell,  James  Taylor, 

Thomas  Potter, 

January  11th,  1847. 
Joseph  Aitkeu,  Henry  Davis, 

William  Sauderson, 
Budd  S.  Bodine,  vice  James  Taylor,  resigned. 
Robert  M.  Foust,  vice  Geo,  W.  Morse,     " 

August  nth,  1847. 
*Thomas  Beaver,  vice  B.  S.  Bodine,  resigned. 

October  mh,  1847. 
*B.  D.  Stewart,  vice  R,  M.  Foust,  resigned. 

January  11th,  1848, 

Benedict  D.  Stewart,         William  A,  McKee, 
William  P.  Eckhardt. 

Jiinuar^  Sth,  1849* 

John  T.  Smith,  Thomas  Beaver, 

Robert  M.  Foust. 


TEMPLE   PRESBYTERIAN    CHURCH.  205 

February  10th,  1849. 
*Elihu  D.  Tarr,  vice  John  T.  Smith,  resigned. 

January  14th,  1850. 

Joseph  Aitken,  Augustus  H.  Kaiguel, 

Henry  Davis. 
Wm.  Sanderson,  vice  Wm.  A.  McKee,  resigned. 

April  ISth,  1850. 
A.  H.  Campbell,  vice  Thomas  Beaver,  resigned. 

January  Idth,  1851. 

B.  D.  Stewart,  William  Sanderson, 

G.  C.  Bower. 

September  14th,  1851. 
*Wm.  B.  Elliot,  vice  A.  H.  Raiguel,  resigned. 

January  12th,  1852. 

*A.  H.  Campbell,  R.  M.  Foust, 

Cyrus  C.  Moore. 

January  10th,  1853. 

J.  Austin  Spencer,  William  F.  Smith, 

H.  H.  Shillingford. 


206  HISTORY   OF   THE 

October  'idth,  1853. 
*John  Snyder,  vice  A.  H.  Campbell,  resigned. 

January  9ih,  1854. 
B.  D.  Stewart,  H.  Davis, 

John  T.  Smith. 
Edward  Patteson,  vice  Wra.  F.  Smith,  resigned. 
Joseph  Aitken,  vice  C.  C.  Moore,  ** 

January  Sth^  1855. 

John  Snyder,  Samuel  B.  Grice, 

William  B.  Elliot. 

January  14th,  1856. 
S.  T.  Bodine,  William  Sanderson, 

Edward  Patteson. 

January  26th,  1857. 

John  T.  Smith,  Thomas  Cunningham, 

B.  D.  Stewart. 

January  ilth,  1858. 

G.  C.  Bower,  H.  H.  Shillingford, 

John  Snyder. 

May  10th,  1858. 
*Wm.  Seeley,  vice  John  Snyder,  resigned. 
*  Samuel  Grice,  vice  H.  H.  Shillingford,  res'd. 


TEMPLE.  PRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH.  20^ 

October  Uth,  1858. 
*BeQJ.  C.  Naglee,  vice  Samuel  B.  Grice^  res'd» 

February  9th,  1859. 

Edward  Patteson,  Williain  Sanderson, 

S.  L.  Kirk. 

R.  S.  Bower,  vice  J.  T.  Smith,  resigned;. 

January  9thy  1860. 

Robert  Aitken,  George  W.  Hart, 

William  M.  Weckerly. 

January  I'ith,  1861. 
William  Seeley,  William  B.  Elliot, 

William  R.  Bald. 
Geo.  W.  Grice,  vice  Edward  Patteson,  resigned. 

February  llth,  1861. 
*Samuel  Bradbury,  vice  S.  L.  Kirk,  resigned. 

January  l^th,  1862. 
William  Sanderson,  James  M.  Eamon, 

,  Abner  Lincoln. 
Samuel  Bradbury,  vice  Wm.  M.  Weckerly,  res'd. 

January  12thy  1863. 
Robert  Aitken,  S.  L.  Kirk, 

Samuel  Bradbury. 


2C8  HISTORY    OF   THE 

January  llih,  1864. 

William  Seeley,  William  R.  Bald, 

William  K.  Stewart. 

October  \Otk,  1864. 
*Wm.  B.  Elliot,  vice  Wm.  R.  Stewart,  res'd. 

January  dth,  1865. 

William  Sanderson,  Abner  Lincoln, 

James  M.  Lam  on. 

January  Sth,  1866. 

S.  Bradbury,  R.  Aitken. 

S.  L.  Kirk. 
D.  C.  Golden,  vice  Wm.  B.  Elliot,  resigned. 

January  lAth,  1867. 

William  R.  Bald,  William  R.  Stewart, 

Ansel  Collins. 
Wm.  Seely,  vice  Wm.  Sandei'son,  resigned. 
D.  C.  Golden,  vice  James  M.  Lamon,  resigned. 

January  IWi,  1S68. 

William  Seely,  A.  Lincoln, 

D.  C.  Golden. 


TEMPLE   PRESBTTERIAIT  CHURCH.  209* 

November  9th,  1868. 
^Joseph  F.  Jaggers,  vice  D.  C.  Golden,  resigned. 

January  27th,  1869. 

:S.  L.  Kirk,  Robert  Aitken, 

S.  Bradbury. 

January  10th,  1870. 

Lewis  Davis,  J.  H.  Workman, 

William  R.  Bald. 

January  9th,  1871. 

Jacob  Knight,  J.  P.  Curran,  M.  D., 

Abner  Lincoln. 
Robert  Dornan,  vice  J.  H.  Workman,  resigned. 
B.  C.  Snowden,  M.  D.,  vice  Robert  Aitken,  " 

January  Sth,  1872. 

Samuel  Bradbury,  S.  L.  Kirk, 

Conrad  B.  Day. 

January  ISth,  1873, 

Samuel  H.  Davis,  Robert  Dornan, 

Lewis  Davis. 

In  addition  to  the  above,  at  this  meeting  there 
were   elected   under   the  amended   Charter  (which 

14 


-^10  HISTORY   OF  TUB 

provided  for  15  persons  in  the  Board,  instead  of  0) 
the  following  persons : 

John  Dickey,  f 

I.H.Wisler,  |   To  serve  for  3  years. 

Isaiah  Davis,  f 

„^      ,,  ^  "S     To  serve  for  2  years. 

Wm.  M.  Cramp,  i  . 

W,  S.  Wilson,  r 

T.W.Wolf.  i     To  serve  for  1  year. 


April  Uth,  187a. 
*Wm.  R.  Stewart,  vice  S.  Bradbury,  resigned. 
^Joseph  W.  Golden,  vice  W.  S.  Wilson,  resigned. 

May-i2fh,  1873. 
Robert  Aitken,  vice  John  Dickey,  resigned. 


PRESENT  ORGANIZATION  OF  THE  BOARD  OF 

TRUSTEES, 

Presidentj 
Abner  Lincoln. 

Secretary,  Treasurer, 

Lewis  Davis.  S.  L.  Kirk. 


TEMPLE  PRESUYTEBIAN   CHURCH. 


211 


Pew  Agent, 
Isaiah  Davis. 


Jacob  Knigkt, 
Oonrad  B.  Day, 
Robert  Dornaa, 
I.  H.  Wisler, 
T.  W.  Wolf, 


J,  P.  Curran,  M.  D., 
Samuel  H.  Davis, 
William  M.  Cramp, 
Joseph  W.  Golden, 
Robert  Aitken, 


William  R.  Stewart 


FORMER   SUPERINTENDENTS  OF   THE  MAIN 
SUNDAY  SCHOOL. 


Benjamin  Naglee, 

C.  B.  Dungan, 
Wm.  T.  Donaldson, 
B.  D.  Stewart, 
David  McClnre, 

E.  M.  Gregory, 

D.  C.  Golden, 
Robert  Aitken, 


Edward  Patteson, 
William  A.  McKee, 
Thomas  Potter, 
Isaac  Ashmead, 
Joseph  Aitken, 
George  W.  Grice, 
S.  L.  Kirk, 
S.  H,  Jenkins. 


FORMER  SUPERINTENDENTS  OF  THE  INFANT 

SCHOOL. 

Ann  E.  Reynolds,  Mrs.  J.  W.  Wilson, 

Lizzie  W.  Hall. 


212  HISTORY  OF  THE 

PRESENT  ORGANIZATION  OF  THE  SUNDAY 
SCHOOL  ASSOCIATION, 

President, 
T>,  C.  Golden. 

Vice  President,  Secretary, 

Abner  Lincoln,  Wm.  P.  White, 

Treasurer, 
Robert  Aitken. 

Main  School  Superintendent^ 
James  Y.  Mitchell. 

Assistant  Superintendent, 
Wm.  M.  Clark. 

Secretaries, 
Thomas  Gillam,       William  S.  Golden. 

Librarian, 
William  P.  White. 

Assistants, 
Frank  P.  Webb,  George  H.  Barrow. 


TEMPLE    PRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH. 


213 


Teachers. 


Tillie  Snyder, 
Flora  E.  Lincoln, 
Maggie  Solliday, 
Hannah  Davis, 
Laura  Curran, 
Carrie  Grim, 
Hannah  Golden, 
Beckie  McManes, 
Sallie  M.  Horn, 
Ella  Ely, 
J.  L.  Saxton, 
Wm.  R.  Stewart, 
S.  L.  Kirk, 
George  "W.  Golden, 
Theo.  R.  White, 
W,  M.  Read, 
Lewis  Davis, 


Rosa  Fronefield, 
Fanny  Fay, 
Mattie  Jaggers, 
Addie  Ely, 
Susan  McFarland, 
Mary  S.  Rainier, 
Lillie  R.  Aitken, 
Jennie  V.  Davis, 
Sallie  Shaw, 
Annie  Kirk, 
Haddie  E.  Gray, 
Robert  Aitken, 
A.  Lincoln, 
T.  W.  Wolf, 
Thomas  Summerville, 
Joseph  Aitken, 
William  A.  Rosier, 


Theo.  F.  Read. 

Superintendent  of  the  Infant  School, 
Joseph  W.  Golden. 


Assistants. 

Sadie  E.  Campbell,    "        Annie  C  Skinnee, 

Ella  G.  Graeff. 


214 


HISTORY   OF  THE 


NAMES  OF  THOSE  WHO  HAVE  BEEN  SEXTONS 
IN  THIS  CHURCH. 

[The  date  indicates  the  time  when  their  services  began.J 

Appointed  by  the  Association. 
Nicholas  Helverson^ 


Elected  by  the 
B.  Vickery,  - 
Budd  S.  Bodine,    - 
George  Adams, 
George  Beecher,    - 
D.  Richardson, 
George  Beecher,    - 
Enoch  May  hew,     - 
James  Crawford,    - 
John  Springer, 


Board  of  Trvsfees. 

-  September  20th,  1836. 

-  January  26th,  1843. 

-  December  16ih,  1844. 

-  May  19th,  1845. 

-  October  19th,  1846. 

-  May  8th,  1847. 

-  June  12th,  1847. 

-  October  8th,  1855. 

-  October  1st,  1862- 


CONSTITUTION  AND  BY-LAWS. 


TEMPLE  PRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH*  217 


CONSTITUTION 


cw 


THE  CENTRAL   PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH, 


NORTHERN   LIBERTIES,  PHILADELPHIA. 


Preamble. 
We,  the  subscribers,  citizens  of  the  Commonwealth 
of  Pennsylvania,  and  members  of  the  Society  of  Pres- 
byterians of  the  said  church,  worshipping  God  in  the 
new  church  on  Coates  street,  between  Third  and 
Fourth  streets,  in  the  Northern  Liberties  aforesaid, 
having  some  time  since  associated  as  a  congregation 
for  religious  purposes,  and  being  desirous  to  acquire 
and  enjoy  the  powers  and  immunities  of  a  corpora- 
tion or  body  politic  in  law,  have  adopted  the  follow- 
ing constitution ; 

Artici  E  I. 
The  name  style  and  title  of  the  Society  shall  be, 
"The  Trustees  of  the  Central  Presbyterian  Church  in 
the  Northern  Liberties,  Philadelphia." 


218  HISTORY   OF   THE 

Article  II. 

The  afi'airs  of  the  said  corporation  shall  be  con- 
ducted by  nine  Trustees,  three  of  whom  shall  be 
elected  annually  on  the  second  Monday  in  January 
in  each  and  every  year  hereafter,  to  serve  for  three 
years,  or  until  others  are  elected ;  of  which  election 
notice  shall  be  given  in  the  church  on  the  previous 
Sabbath.     But  in  case  it  should  happen  that  an  elec 
tion  of  Trustees  should  not  be  made  as  aforesaid,  the 
corporation  shall  not  for  that  cause  be  deemed  to  be 
dissolved ;  and  it  shall  be  lawful,  on  any  day  within 
sixty  days  thereafter,  notice  having  been  given  as 
aforesaid,  to  hold  and  make  an  election  of  Trustees  as 
aforesaid.    And  in  case  of  any  Trustee's  death,  resig- 
nation or  removal,  his  place  may  be  filled  for  the 
remainder  of  his  term  in  such  manner  as  the  ordi- 
nances or  by-laws  of  the  said  Trustees  shall  for  that 
purpose  direct. 

Article  III. 

The  present  Trustees  of  the  said  Society  shall  con- 
tinue in  office  as  follows,  to  wit :  Benjamin  JSTaglee, 
Charles  Elliot,  and  John  A.  Stewart,  until  the  second 
Monday  in  January,  Anno  Domini  1837 ;  Edward 
Patteson,  Casper  Yeager,  and  Peter  Mintzer,  until 
the  second  Monday  in  January,  Anno  Domini  1838  ; 


TEMPLE    PRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH.  "219 

and  Joseph  Pond,  Joseph  ]N'aglee,  and  John  G.  Flegel, 
until  the  second  Monday  in  January,  Anno  Domini 
1839,  or  until  others  shall  he  elected  as  aforesaid. 

Article  IV. 
The  officers  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  shall  consist 
of  a  President,  Secretary  and  Treasurer.  The  Trea- 
surer may  be  elected  from  among  the  members  of  the 
Society  who  are  not  members  of  the  Board  of  Trus- 
tees— all  of  whom  shall  be  citizens  of  Pennsylvania. 

Article  V. 

The  qualifications  of  both  the  electors  and  Trustees 
of  the  said  society  shall  be,  that  such  persons  shall 
have  been  members  of  the  Society  for  six  months  at 
least  previous  to  such  election ;  and  shall  have  paid 
six  months'  rent  for  a  pew  or  part  of  a  pew  within 
the  said  church,  and  shall  not  be  in  arrears  for 
more  than  one  years'  rent  at  the  time  of  such 
election,  and  be  of  the  age  of  twenty-one  years  or 
upwards,  and  citizens  of  this  Commonwealth. 

Article  VI. 

The  said  corporation  shall  not  engage  in  any  way 
not  authorized  by  the  ordinary  usage  and  practice  of 
said  Society,  whereby  the  said  society  may  or  shall, 


220  HISTORY   OF   THE 

on  any  one  occasion,  be  involved  in  an  expense  of 
three  hundred  dollars  or  upwards,  with6ut  having 
obtained  the  concurrence  of  at  least  seven  of  the 
Trustees. 

Article  VII. 

The  clear  rents  and  profits  of  the  real  estate  of  the 
said  Society,  and  the  interest  and  dividends  of  their 
money,  stock,  and  other  personal  estate,  shall  not 
exceed  two  thousand  dollars  per  annum. 

Article  VIII. 

By-laws  not  repugnant  to  the  Constitution  and 
laws  of  the  United  States,  to  the  Constitution  and 
laws  of  this  Commonwealth,  or  to  this  instrument, 
may  be  passed  by  a  majority  of  the  said  Trustees  at 
any  meeting. 

Benjamin  I^aglee,       Peter  Mintz^r, 
Charles  Elliot,  Joseph  Pond, 

John  A.  Stewart,       Joseph  I^a'glee, 
Edward  Patteson,       John  G.  Flegel, 
Casper  Yeager. 

PHILADELPHIA,  FEBRUARY,  1836. 


TEMPLE   PRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH.  221 

To  the  Supreme  Court  of  the 

Commonwealth  of  Pennsylvania. 

I,  James  Todd,  Attorney  General  of  the  Common- 
wealth of  Pennsylvania,  do  hereby  certify,  that  I 
have  perused  and  examined  the  above  written  instru- 
ment, and  am  of  opinion  that  the  objects,  articles  and 
conditions  therein  set  forth  and  contained,  are  lawful. 

In  witness  whereof,  I  have  hereunto  set  my  hand, 
at  Philadelphia,  the  sixteenth  day  of  March,  Anno 
Domini  1836.  James  Todd. 


To  His  Excellency,  the  Governor 

of  the  Gynimonweilth  of  Pennsylvania. 
We,  the  Justices  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  the 
Commonwealth  of  Pennsylvania,  certify  that  having 
perused  and  examined  the  above  written  instru- 
ment, concur  in  opinion  with  the  Attorney  Gene- 
ral, that  the  objects,  articles  and  conditions  therein 
set  forth  and  contained,  are   lawful. 

"Witness  our  hands,  at  Philadelphia,  the  twenty- 
third  day   of  April,  Anno  Domini  1836. 

John  B.  Gibson, 
MoLTON  C.  Rogers, 
John  Kennedy. 


222  HISTORY    OF   THE 

I,  Henry  Witmer,  Prothonotarj  of  the  Supreme 
Court  of  the  Eastern  District  of  Pennsylvania,  do 
hereby  certify,  that  the  above  written  instrument  or 
Charter  of  Incorporation,  was  duly  presented  to  the 
Justices  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  Commonwealth 
of  Pennsylvania,  agreeablj^  to  the  rule  of  Court  in 
such  cases  made  and  provided,  and  by  them  duly 
allowed,  as  in  their  certificate  set  forth. 

In  testimony  whereof,  I  have  hereunto  set  my 
hand,  and  affixed  the  seal  of  the  said  court,  at  Phila- 
delphia, this  twenty-fifth  day  of  April,  Anno  Domini 

1836. 

[seal.]  Henry  Wither. 

Pennsylvania,  ss. 

In  the  name  and  by  the  authority  of  the  Common- 
wealth of  Pennsylvania,  Joseph  Ritner,  Governor  of 
the  said  Commonwealth,  to  Thomas  H.  Burro wes, 
Esquire,  Secretary  of  the  said  Commonwealth,  sends 
greeting : 

Whereas,  it  has  been  duly  certified  to 

fSEAL   "1 

me,  by  James  Todd,  Attorney  General  of 
the  said  Commonwealth,  and  by  John  B.  Gibson, 
Esq.,  Chief  Justice,  Molton  C.  Rogers  and  John  Ken- 
nedy, Associate  Justices  of  the  Supreme  Court  of 
Pennsylvania,  that  they  have  respectively  perused 


TEMPLE   PRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH.       •  225 

and  examined  the  above  act  or  instrument  for  the 
incorporation  of  "  The  Trustees  of  the  Central  Pres- 
byterian Church  in  the  Northern  Liberties,  Philadel- 
phia," and  that  they  concur  in  opinion  that  the  ob- 
jects, articles  and  conditions  therein  set  forth  and 
contained  are  lawful ;  !N^ow,  know  you,  that  in  pur- 
suance of  an  act  of  the  General  Assembly,  passed  the 
sixth  day  of  April,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thou- 
sand seven  hundred  and  ninety-one,  entitled  "  An  act 
to  confer  on  certain  associations  of  the  citizens  of  this 
Commonwealth  the  powers  and  immunities  of  corpo- 
rations or  bodies  politic  in  law ;"  and  a  supplement 
to  the  same,  passed  the  eighth  day  of  April,  in  the 
year  of  our  Lord  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and 
thirty-three,  I  have  transmitted  the  said  act  or  in- 
strument of  incorporation  unto  you,  the  said  Thomas 
H.  Burrowes,  Secretary  of  the  said  Commonwealth 
hereby  requiring  you  to  enroll  the  same,  at  the  ex- 
pense of  the  applicant,  to  the  intent  that,  according  to 
the  objects,  articles  and  conditions  therein  set  forth 
and  contained,  the  parties  may  become  and  be  a  cor- 
poration and  body  politic  in  law  and  in  fact,  to  have 
continuance  by  the  name,  style  and  title  in  the  said 
instrument  provided  and  declared. 

Given  under  my  hand  and  the  great  seal  of  the 
State,  at  Harrisburg,  this  eighth  day  of  July,  in  the 


224  HISTORY   OF   THE 

jear  of  our  Lord  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and 

thirty-six,  and  of  the  Commonwealth  the  sixty-first. 

By  the  Governor. 

Thomas  H.  Burrowes, 

Secretary  of  Oie  CommomceaUh. 

Commonwealth  of  Pennsylvania^ 
Secretary's  Office, 
Enrolled  in  Charter  Book  ^o.  6,  page  15,  containing 
a  record  of  acts  incorporating  sundry  literary,  chari- 
table and  religious  institutions. 

Witness  my  hand  and  seal  of  office,  at  Har- 
.   risburg,  this  eighth  day  of  July,  in  the 
[seal.]     year  of  our  Lord  one  thousand  eight  hun- 
dred and  thirty-six,  and  of  the  Common- 
wealth the  sixty-first. 

Thomas  H.  Burrowes, 

Secretary  of  the  CbmmonweaUh . 


TEMPLE    PRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH.  225 


AMENDMENT  OF  ARTICLE  VI. 


Agreeably  to  a  vote  of  the  congregation,  given 
January  20th,  1851,  the  following  amendment  to  the 
6th  Article  of  the  Constitution  was  presented  to  a 
Court  of  Common  Pleas,  held  January  30,  1852 : 

Article  VI. 

"  That  the  Board  of  Trustees  shall  not  have  power 
to  purchase  or  sell  any  real  estate,  or  to  incumber 
any  real  estate  already  vested  in  the  corporation,  or 
to  incur  any  liability  exceeding  in  amount  the  sum 
of  three  hundred  dollars,  unless  a  resolution  autho- 
rizing such  purchase,  sale  or  incumbrance  shall  have 
been  first  submitted  to  the  congregation,  at  the 
regular  annual  meeting  thereof,  or  at  a  special  meet- 
ing duly  convened  for  that  purpose,  when  a  vote  of 
a  majority  of  the  members  present  shall  be  necessary 
to  pass  such  resolution ;  excepting  in  all  cases  the 

current  expenses  of  the  corporation." 

15 


22^  HISTORY   OF  THE" 

On  motion  of  J.  Austin  Spencer,  Esq.,  tlie  Conrt 
ordered  that  the  said  instrument  be  filed,  and  that 
notice  of  the  said  application  be  published  according- 
to  law. 

On  the  3d  day  of  March,  1852,  due  proof  having- 
been  exhibited  of  said  publication^  and  the  Court 
having  examined  the  said  instrument  of  writing,  and 
the  objects,  articles  and  conditions  therein  contained 
appearing  to  be  lawful^  and  no  cause  being  shown  to 
the  contrary,  did  decree  and  declare,  that  "  the  same 
shall  be  deemed  and  taken  to  be  a  part  of  the  instru^ 
ment  upon  which  the  said  corporation  was  formed 
and  established,  to  all  intents  and  purposes,  as  if  the 
same  had  originally  been  made  part  thereof;  and 
further,  did  direct  that  the  said  alteration  or  amend- 
ment shall  be  recorded  in  the  Office  for  Recording 
deeds,  &c.,  for  the  City  and  County  of  Philadelphia."" 

The  amendment  was  recorded  in  the  Office  for 
Recording  of  Deeds,  &c.,  for  the  City  and  County  of 
Philadelphia,  March  8th,  1852^  in  Miscellaneous^ 
Book,  a  W  C,  1^0.  1,  page  350. 


TEMPLE   PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH.  227 


AMENDMENTS  OF  AETICLES  1.  AND  II. 


Agreeably  to  the  votes  of  the  congregation,  given 
at  meetings  held  January  8th  and  March  28th,  1872, 
the  followino;  chans^e  of  name,  amendments  and  alte- 
rations  to  Articles  I.  and  11.  of  the  Constitution  were 
presented  to  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas  for  the  City 
and  County  of  Philadelphia,  to  wit : 

That  Articles  I.  and  II.  be  amended  so  as  to  read 
as  follows : 

Article  I. 

That  the  name  style  and  title  of  the  Society  shall 
be,  "  Temple  Presbyterian  Church." 

Article  II 

The  affairs  of  the  said  corporation  shall  be  conducted 
by  fifteen  Trustees  ;  five  of  whom  shall  be  elected 
annually  on  the  second  Monday  in  January  in  each 
and  every  year  hereafter,  to  serve  for  three  years,  or 


228  HISTORY    OF   THE 

until  others  are  elected,  of  whicli  election  notice  shall 
be  given  in  the  church  on  the  previous  Sabbath. 
But  in  case  it  should  happen  that  an  election  of 
Trustees  should  not  be  made  as  aforesaid,  the  corpo- 
ration shall  not  for  that  cause  be  deemed  to  be  dis- 
solved ;  and  it  shall  be  lawful,  on  any  day  within 
sixty  days  thereafter,  notice  having  been  given  as 
aforesaid,  to  hold  and  make  an  election  of  Trustees 
as  aforesaid.  Provided^  however^  That  the  six  addi- 
tional Trustees  required  by  this  amendment  shall  be 
elected  at  the  election  in  January,  1873,  two  of  them 
to  serve  for  one  year,  two  of  them  for  tw^o,  and  two 
for  three  years.  And  in  case  of  any  Trustee's  death, 
resignation  or  removal,  his  place  shall  be  tilled  for 
the  remainder  of  his  term  in  such  manner  as  the 
ordinances  or  by-laws  of  said  Trustees  shall  direct." 

The  Court  heard  the  petitioners  on  ^November  8th, 
1872,  when,  on  motion  of  J.  Austin  Spencer,  Esq., 
the  Court  ordered  the  instrument  to  be  filed,  and 
that  notice  of  said  application  be  published  according 
to  law. 

On  December  2d,  1872,  due  proof  having  been  ex- 
hibited of  such  publication,  and  it  appearing  that 
notice  of  the  intended  change  of  name  had  been 
given  to  the  Auditor  General,  and  the  Court  having 


TEMPLE   PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH.  229 

'examined  the  said  instrument  of  writing,  and  the 
objects,  articles  and  conditions  therein  contained  ap- 
pearing to  be  lawful,  and  no  cause  being  shown  to 
the  contrary,  did  decree  and  declare, "  that  the  name, 
style  and  title  of  said  corporation  be  changed  to  that 
of  "Temple Presbyterian  Church;"  that  the  first  and 
second  Articles  of  the  Charter  of  Incorporation,  of 
the  said  corporation,  shall  be  altered  and  amended, 
according  as  the  same  is  herein  specified  and  set 
forth ;  so  that  the  same  shall  be  deemed  and  taken 
to  be  part  of  the  instrument  upon  which  the  said 
corporation  was  formed  and  established  to  all  intents 
and  purposes,  as  if  the  same  had  originally  been  made 
part  thereo£  And  did  further  direct  and  decree, 
that  the  said  alteration  and  amendment  be  recorded 
in  the  Ofiice  for  the  Recording  of  Deeds,  &c.,  for  the 
Oity  and  County  of  Philadelphia," 

Recorded  in  the  Office  for  the  Recording  of  Deeds, 
^c,  for  the  City  and  County  of  Philadelphia,  in  Mis- 
eel  laneous  Book  F  T  W,  ]N'o.  1,  page  67, 


230  HISTORY   OF  THK 


BY-LAWS 

ov 

THE  BOAED   OF   TEUSTEES, 

ADOPTED  MAY  12,  1873. 


Article  I. 

Meetings. 

Sec.  1.  The  Stated  Meetings  of  the  Board  shall  be 
held  as  follows :  One  for  the  organization  of  the  new 
Board,  within  ten  days  after  the  election,  and  on  the 
second  Monday  evening  of  each  month  in  the  year^ 
The  hour  of  meeting  shall  be,  from  April  till  Sep- 
tember, at  8  o'clock ;  and  September  to  April,  1\ 
o'clock.  Eight  members  shall  constitute  a  quorum 
to  transact  business. 

Sec.  2.  Special  Meetings  shall  be  called  by  the 
President,  at  the  written  request  of  five  members  \ 
the  object  of  the  meeting  shall  be  stated  in  the  no- 
tices to  be  issued  by  the  Secretary. 

Sec.  3.  No  business  shall  be  transacted  at  a  Special 
Meeting,  except  that  for  which  such  meeting  is  spe- 
eially  called. 


^EMl^LE   PRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH.  2S1 

Article  II. 
Order  of  Business 

1.  Prayer. 

2.  Roll  Call.. 

Z,  Reading  of  Minutes. 

4.  Reports  of  Officers. 

5.  Reports  of  Committees. 

6.  Unfinished  Business. 

7.  IN'ew  Business. 

Article  III. 

Officers  of  the  Board. 

"Sec.  1.  The  Officers  of  the  Board  shall  be  a  Presi- 
«dent,  Secretary ,  Treasurer,  and  Pew  Agent,  who  shall 
be  elected  by  ballot  annually,  and  continue  in  office 
until  their  successors  are  elected. 

Sec  2.  The  President  (or,  in  his  absence,  the  Pre- 
sident 'prx)  tern.)  shall  preside  at  all  meetings  of  the 
Board.  He  shall  have  the  custody  of  the  Charter  of  the 
church,  sign  all  orders  drawn  upon  the  Treasurer 
and  attested  by  the  Secretary,  appoint  all  committees 
not  otherwise  ordered,  and  perform  the  duties  usually 
appertaining  to  his  office. 

Sec  3.  The  Secretary  shall  keep  regular  and  cor- 
rect minutes  of  the  proceedings  of  the  Board  ;  notify 


232  HISTORY    OF   THE 

them,  in  writing,  of  the  time  and  place  of  meetings  ; 
attest  all  orders  drawn  upon  the  Treasurer;  take 
charge  of  the  seal  and  papers  belonging  to  the  corpo- 
ration ;  furnish  the  chairman  of  each  committee  with 
a  list  of  its  members,  and  perform  the  usual  duties 
of  a  Secretary. 

Sec.  4.  The  Treasurer  shall  have  charge  and  keep 
a  correct  account  of  the  funds  of  the  Corporation ;  pay 
no  moneys  but  on  orders  properly  attested,  except  the 
Pastor,  Sexton,  Choristers  and  Organist's  salaries, 
and  gas  bills  as  they  become  due.  He  shall  report  the 
condition  of  the  Treasury,  monthly,  and  present  to 
the  Board,  annually,  in. January,  a  statement  of  the 
receipts  and  expenditures  for  the  past  year,  the  same 
to  be  read  before  the  corporation  at  their  annual 
meeting.  He  shall  deliver  to  his  successors  all  mo- 
neys and  papers  in  his  possession  belonging  to  the 
Corporation. 

Sec.  6.  The  Pew  Agent  shall  take  charge  of  the 
Pew  Books,  rent  pews  and  sittings,  keej)  a  correct 
account  of  all  mone^^s  collected,  and  pay  the  same  to 
the  Treasurer  forthwith,  taking  his  receipt  therefor. 
He  shall  make  quarterly  reports  to  the  Board  of  the 
amount  collected,  and  also  of  delinquent  Pew  Ren- 
ters, and  the  annual  value  of  the  pews  rented. 


TEMPLE   PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH.  233 

Article  IV. 

Pew  Rents. 

Sec.  1.  The  pew  rents  shall  be  paid  quarterly  in 
advance,  on  the  first  day  of  January,  April,  July  and 
October ;  and  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Few  Agent 
to  attend  in  the  church  to  receive  the  pew  rents,  no- 
tice of  such  sitting  having  been  previously  read  from 
the  pulpit. 

Sec  2.  When  any  person  shall  become  indebted 
for  three-quarters  pew  rent,  the  Pew  Committee 
may  place  the  same  in  the  hands  of  a  collector,  and 
the  cost  of  collection  shall  be  added  to  the  pew  rent* 

Article  V. 

Standing  Committees^ 

Sec.  1.  The  Standing  Committees  of  the  Board 
shall  be  appointed  annually,  at  the  first  Stated  Meet- 
ing after  the  election  of  Trustees,  and  shall  consist 
as  follows : 

Sec.  2.  A  Committee  on  Real  Estate,  consisting  of 
three  members,  whose  duty  shall  be  to  superintend 
and  keep  in  good  repair,  the  real  estate  and  personal 
property  which  may  be  under  the  care  of  the  Board. 
They  shall  not  authorize  any  repairs  that  shall  ex- 
ceed the  sum  of  fifty  dollars,  without  first  obtaining 
the  approval  of  the  Board. 


S34  HISTORY   OF   THE 

Sec,  3,  A  Committee  on  Pews,  consisting  of  three 
members,  one  of  whom  shall  be  the  Pew  Agent,  who 
shall  assist  in  the  renting  of  pews  and  colkcting  pew 
rents. 

Sec.  4,  A  Committee  on  Collections,  consisting  of 
at  least  six  members,  whose  duty  it  shall  he  to  take 
up  the  collections  in  the  church,  and  hand  the  same 
to  the  Treasurer. 

Sec.  5.  A  Committee  on  Sexton,  consisting  of  three 
members,  whose  duty  shall  be  to  see  that  the  Sexton 
discharges  his  duties  in  a  proper  manner,  and  attends 
to  the  proper  heating  and  ventilation  of  the  church. 

Sec.  6.  A  Committee  on  Music,  consisting  of  three 
members,  whose  duty  shall  be  to  superintend  the 
Chorister  and  Organist  in  the  discharge  of  their  duties, 
so  far  as  they  come  under  the  direction  of  the 
Board. 

Article  VI. 

Eteciion  of  Sexton,  Chdrister  and  OrganisL 

The  Board  shall  elect  by  ballot,  as  occasion  may 
require,  suitable  persons  to  serve  as  Sexton,  Chorister 
and  Organist,  who  shall  receive  for  their  services 
such  salary  as  the  Board  may  determine  from  time 
to  time;  the. same  to  be  paid  quarterly. 


TEMPLE   PRESBYTERIAN   CHTTRCH.  235 

Article  VII. 
Auditing  Committee. 

At  the  Stated  Meeting  in  December,  a  Committee 
of  three  shall  be  appointed  to  audit  the  accounts  of 
the  Treasurer  and  Pew  Agent,  and  prepare  the  an- 
nual report  to  the  congregation. 

Article  VIII. 
Vacancies. 

The  Board  shall  have  power  to  fill  all  vacancies 
which  may  occur  in  their  body  by  death,  resignation 
or  otherwise. 

Article  IX. 

Alterations,  additions  or  amendments  to  these  By- 
Laws  may  be  made  by  this  Board,  provided  said 
alterations,  &c.,  shall  have  been  proposed  in  writing  at 
least  one  month  previous  to  acting  thereon,  and  two- 
thirds  of  the  members  present  concurring  at  the  final 
decision. 


TEMPLE   PKESBYTERIAN   CHURCH.  237 


APPENDIX. 


After  the  manuscript  copy  of  this  history  had 
passed  into  the  hands  of  the  publisher,  and  when 
some  of  the  press-work  had  been  completed,  an 
unexpected  endorsement  was  given  to  the  writing, 
and  publication  of  individual  church  history,  by 
our  General  Assembly. 

At  its  meetino;  held  in  Baltimore  durino;  the  latter 
part  of  May,  1873,  when  the  subject  of  the  "Centen- 
nial celebration  of  American  Independence"  was 
under  consideration,  an  animated  and  protracted  dis- 
cussion arose  as  to  the  wisdom  and  best  mode  of 
setting  forth  the  progress  of  Presbyterianism  in  this 
country,  during  the  last  century. 

Following  this  discussion,  a  number  of  resolutions 
were  passed ;  among  which,  was  one,  in  substance, 
recommending  the  pastors  of  the  several  churches 
under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  assembly,  to  prepare 
and  have  published  in  time  for  the  great  Centennial 
Exhibition,  to  be  held  at  Philadelphia  in  1876,  his- 
tories of  their  several  churches,  copies  of  which  were 
to  be  sent  to  the  Presbyterian  Historical  Society. 

This  action,  while  endorsing  other  actions  referred 


238  HISTORY    OF    THE 

to  in  the  prefatory  article,  has,  in  the  publication 
of  this  volume  not  only  been  complied  with,  but 
anticipated. 

As  recorded  in  the  body  of  this  history,  it  was 
believed  that  the  Salem  German  Reformed  congre- 
gation which  purchased  our  *'  old  church  building," 
intended  to  hold  and  occupy  it  for  their  own  services. 
The  most  that  was  expected,  was,  that  the  building 
would  be  somewhat  enlarged  and  remodeled,  to 
aiford  ample  accommodations  for  their  very  large 
membership. 

Upon  getting  possession  of  the  property,  however, 
the  people  were  undecided,  as  to  what  step  to  take. 
After  waiting  for  some  time,  they  rented  it  for  a 
year  to  a  congregation  which  had  colonized  from  the 
Lutheran  Church,  at  the  corner  of  St.  John  and 
Brown  streets.  During  this  year,  the  renting  con- 
gregation began  and  finished  a  church  building  in 
Fourth  street,  below  Girard  avenue. 

The  "  old  building "  again  vacated,  was  used  at 
times  for  concerts  and  other  entertainments,  in  behalf 
of  the  congregation  to  which  it  belonged.  iN'o  pains 
were  taken  to  keep  it  in  repair,  and,  as  a  consequence, 
it  became  thoroughly  dilapidated. 

In  the  spring  of  1873,  the  Salem  congregation  de- 
cided to  build,  and  workmen  about  the  beginning  of 


TEMPLE    PRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH.  239 

July,  began  to  tear  down  the  "old  building,"  in 
order  to  make  place  for  the  "  new." 

The  tearing  down  revealed  the  fact,  that  there 
was  greater  strength  in  the  walls  of  the  super- 
structure, than  had  previously  been  supposed  ;  but  it 
also  showed  a  foundation  faullyy  because  it  partly 
rested  on  made  ground. 

Appearances  indicated  that  when  the  church  was 
erected,  as  much  attention  was  given  to  the  "  burial 
vaults,"  as  to  the  church  edifice.  There  were  twenty- 
six  of  these  vaults ;  ten  in  front,  and  sixteen  on  the 
east  side  of  the  building. 

As  might  have  been  inferred  from  the  history, 
there  was  no  "  Corner-Stone."  As  already  recorded, 
the  building  was  erected  by  a  "  Stock  Association," 
independent  of  any  church  organization.  The  formal 
transfer  of  the  property  to  this  congregation,  did  not 
take  place  for  some  time  after  the  church  had  ac- 
cepted the  invitation  of  the  "  Association  "  to  worship 
in  their  building. 

It  is  the  intention  of  the  Salem  congregation  to 
erect  a  large  edifice  on  the  site  of  the  old.  They 
propose  to  adhere  to  the  former  width  ^  but  increase 
the  dejpth  of  the  building,  by  having  the  front  some 
eight  or  ten  feet  nearer  the  street  line,  and  placing 
the  rear  wall  on  the  back  line  of  their  lot. 


240  HISTORY   OF   THE 

The  work  of  building  is  now  going  on;  and 
without  attaching  undue  importance  to  time  or  place 
in  our  history,  it  will  be  pleasant  in  the  future  to 
remember  that  the  spot  where  God  in  other  days 
visited  and  blessed  us,  is  still  to  invite  like  favors 
upon  another  Christian  people,  who  are  virtually  one 
with  us  in  doctrine  and  worship. 

Were  the  words  herein  written  only  for  the  pre- 
sent, it  would  be  needless  to  make  mention  of  a 
cl.ange  in  the  name  of  the  street,  on  which  the  "  Old 
Church  "  stood. 

We  would  have  thought  no  street  name,  more 
enduring  than  the  name  of  Coates  street.  The  present 
generation,  at  least,  will  hardly  become  familiarized 
with  the   new  name  given  to  that  old  thoroughfare. 

But,  recently  our  City  Councils  have  ordered  the 
old  name  on  corners  and  street  lamps  to  be  taken 
down;  and  while  we  may  read  intelligibly  the  old 
and  oft-repeated  name  of  Coates  street  on  these 
pages,  hereafter,  others  to  read  satisfactorily,  must 
substitute  in  the  place  of  the  old,  the  neiD  name, 
Fatemount  Avenue. 

We  regret  that  we  have  not  been  able  to  secure  a 
likeness  of  E-ev.  T.  A.  J.  Mines,  the  second  pastor  of 
this  church.  Failure  to  secure,  was  not  from  want  of 
effort.     After  much  writing  to  those  likely  to  have 


TEMPLE   PRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH.  241 

some   reminder  of  him  in  picture,  we  are  satisfied 
that  no  likeness  of  him  can  be  had. 

The  likeness  of  the  first  pastor  is  taken  from  an 
oil  painting  now  in  possession  of  his  widow,  who 
lives  at  Princeton,  K.  J.,  while  tKe  others  are  li- 
thographed from  original  photographs  secured  from 
themselves  or  from  their  friends,  thus  having  their  cor- 
rectness endorsed.  iTo  better  fac-simile  of  an  autograph 
can  be  had  than  that  which  accompanies  the  several 
likenesses. 

In  closing  this  volume,  I  may  be  permitted  to  say 
that  I  have  labored  upon  it,  as  opportunity  ofifered) 
for  more  than  a  year.  I  claim  for  it  no  literary 
merit,  but  do  assert  its  historical  accuracy.  Had  I 
known  in  the  beginning  the  amount  of  time,  par 
tience,  research  and  correspondence  required  in  its 
preparation,  I  would,  to  say  the  least,  very  reluc- 
tantly have  commenced  it, 

!N'ow  that  it  is  done,  I  am  compensated  by  the  dis- 
coveries I  have  made  of  the  faith,  hope,  and 
self-sacrificing  spirit  of  Grod's  people,  as  I  am  also, 
and  chiefly,  by  the  oft-repeated  testimonj'  God  has 
given  in  the  history  of  this  church,  that  he  will 
never  leave  nor  forsake  those  who  put  their  trust  in 
Him.     To  Him  be  glory  and  honor,  both  now  and 

forever.     Amen, 

16 


CONTENTS, 


PREFACE, ,        .        ,        .         page  3-4 

I. 

INTRODUCTORY  HISTORY, V      .        .      page  7-11 

Missionary  spirit  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  ;  north  of  Vine  street  a  missioo 
field;  the  Second  Church  cultivating  it — 7.  The  first  services,  where  and  by 
whom  held  ;  interruptions  by  the  Revolutionary  war ;  services  resumed — 8. 
Erection  of  the  first  church  building;  lot  given,  and  by  whom;  location} 
opening  of  the  completed  building ;  church  organized :  corporate  title ;  Rev, 
James  Patterson  installed;  astonishing  growth;  removal;  new  building 
finished  and  dedicated ;  popularity  of  Mr.  Patterson's  preaching — 9.  Colony 
from  the  First  Church  ;  new  organization ;  title ;  pastor  called ;  place  of  wor- 
ship; embarrassment;  another  colony ;  title — 10.  Minister  officiating ;  union 
of  the  two  colonies;  plan  of  union;  a  second  church  building  finished  in  the 
Northern  Liberties — 11. 

TI. 

ORGANIZATION  OF  THE  CENTRAL  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  THE 
NORTHERN  LIBERTIES, page  11-18 

Occasion  of  the  organization — 11.  Time  and  place  of  organization;  officiating 
ministers;  members  enrolled — 12.  Elders  elected;  pastor  called;  sketch  of 
his  life — 13.  Early  steps  to  erect  a  building;  lot  purchased,  and  the  price 
paid  for  it — 14.  How  the  property  was  held ;  Dimensions  of  the  lot  and  build- 
ing; appearance  of  the  church;  accommodations — 15.  Vaults;  occupancy  of 
the  building;  incidents  connected  with  the  opening  services — 16.  Charter 
secured;  Charter  members  of  the  Board  ;  first  annual  meeting  of  the  congre- 
gation; officers  in  the  first  Board — 17.  Steps  taken  by  the  congregation  to 
secure  the  property;  spiritual  interests;  resignation  of  the  first  pastor;  acce^ 
sions  to  the  church  ;  a  call  declined— 18. 


11  CONTENTS. 

III. 

REV.  T.  A.  J.  MINES,  THE  SECOND  PASTOR,        ....    page  19-21 

Completion  of  the  church  building ;  call  of  another  pastor ;  call  accepted ;  in- 
stallation ;  sketch  of  the  pastor's  life ;  resignation ;  report  of  the  committee 
on  transfer  of  property— 19.  Terms  of  transfer ;  acceptance  of  the  terms ;  cost 
of  the  property— 20.  Indebtedness  of  the  congregation  ;  numerical  strength  ; 
trials— 21. 

IV. 

REV.  ANSON  ROOD,  THE  THIRD  PASTOR,        ....     page  21-31 

Call  extended  and  accepted ;  installation ;  salary  fixed ;  sketch  of  pastor's  life  ; 
qualifications— 21.  Trials  and  triumphs ;  methods  adopted  to  meet  emergen- 
cies—22.  An  occasion  for  thanksgiving;  financial  success— 23.  Benevolence, 
liberality  and  charity;  purchase  of  an  organ;  gas-light  supplanting  oil- 
light— 24.  Spiritual  blessings ;  the  Great  Revival ;  the  pastor's  health  impaired  ; 
communication  to  the  Session— 25.  Congregational  action— 26.  Resignation 
accepted;  commissioners  to  Presbytery;  committee  to  wait  on  the  pastor; 
continued  ill  health— 28.  Death,  and  resolutions  thereon ;  accessions  to  the 
church  during  Mr.  Rood's  pastorate — 29.  A  call  extended,  but  declined ;  rea- 
sons therefor;  disappointed  hopes — 30. 

V. 

REV.  JAMES  P.  WILSON,  D.  D.,  THE  FOURTH  PASTOR,        .      page  31-48 

The  church  without  a  pastor ;  condition  of  the  church ;  sketch  of  Dr.  Wilson's 
life — 31.  Time  of  calling  him  to  this  church ;  expectations ;  new  life  infused ; 
salary  promised ;  salary  increased ;  the  congregation  disturbed  ;  a  call  to  New 
York — 32.  Congregational  action  ;  citation ;  Commissioners  to  Presbytery  ; 
their  work  and  success  reported  to  the  congregation — 33.  Renewal  of  the  call 
from  New  York ;  letter  from  Dr.  Wilson — 45.  Resolutions  of  the  congrega- 
tion^?.   Pastoral  relation  dissolved;  accessions  to  the  church — 48. 

vr. 

REV.  GEORGE  DUFFIELD,  Jr.,  THE  FIFTH  PiNSTOR  .         page'49-6t 

The  church  seeking  another  pastor;  qualifications  needed;  the  name  of  Mr. 
Duffield  proposed ;  sketch  of  his  life;  circumstances  preceding  his  call ;  cor- 
respondence— 49.  Congregational  meeting;  a  call  extended;  the  pastor  elect 
visits  the  church  and  preaches — 51.  the  ratification  of  their  previous  action 
by  the  congregation;  acceptance  of  the  call;  installation;  salary;  hopefuj 
signs;  hindrances — 52.  Thoughts  of  removal;  a  proposition  to  buy ;  congre- 
gational action — 53.  Removal  again  agitated  ;  special  meeting  of  the  congre- 
gation ;  views  of  the  pastor — 54  Report  of  a  committee — 56.  A  re-^olution 
adopted  ;   new  location  suggested ;  individual  action  ;  the  subject  rests — 57. 


CONTENTS.  Ill 

Deficiencies,  and  how  met ;  co-operation  of  pastor  and  people ;  a  dark  pros- 
pect— 58.  Light  in  darkness ;  spiritual  activity  and  success ;  the  revivals  of 
1857  and  1858— 59.  Pastor's  resignation ;  acceptance;  committee  to  Presby- 
tery— 60.  Resolution  of  the  congregation ;  pastoral  relation  dissolved ;  acces- 
sions to  the  church — 61. 

VII. 

REV.  JAMES  Y.  MITCHELL,  THE  SIXTH  PASTOR,     .        .       .  page  61-77 

Pulpit  supplies ;  sketch  of  Mr,  Mitchell's  life— 61.  Circumstances  which  pre- 
ceded his  call— 62.  Call  extended ;  salary  fixed ;  commissioners  to  Presby- 
tery ;  letter  of  acceptance— 64.  Installation ;  sociables— 66.  Quarterly'  sub- 
scriptions ;  efforts  to  liquidate  the  church  debt— 67.  United  effort ;  successful 
termination;  a  gift;  steps  toward  removal— 68.  Pew  deeds  secured  by  the 
Board ;  sale  of  the  church  property  agitated :  committee  to  obtain  a  new  site ; 
a  lot  chosen  and  abandoned;  the  kind  of  building  contemplated— 69.  A 
building  committee  appointed ;  another  lot  chosen  and  abandoned ;  the  reason 
and  the  consequence ;  our  present  site  desired,  but  not  for  sale — 70.  Pastor's 
salary  increased ;  fixing  the  price  of  the  church  property— 71.  A  new  com- 
mittee on  site  and  building;  committee  on  sale;  our  present  site  offered  for 
sale— 72.  Purchase  made;  terms;  action  of  the  Pastors'  Association— 73. 
Committee  to  secure  subscriptions;  an  unlooked-for  event— 75.  The  occa^ 
sion- 76.   Increase  of  pastor's  salary ;  mortgage  authorized  to  be  executed— 77. 

VIII. 

THE  "OLD  EDIFICE"  SOLD,  AND  THE  "NEW  ONE"  BUILDING, 

page  77-106 

Building  Committee  appointed— 77.  The  architect  and  his  plans;  supervision 
and  arbitration ;  amount  paid  to  the  architect ;  a  dilemma— 78.  Unsuccessful 
efforts  to  sell  the  old  building;  a  gratifying  surprise;  the  building  sold— 79. 
Suitable  services  following  the  sale;  happy  results— 80.  Contractor's  esti- 
mates; building  in  part;  the  lowest  bidder;  making  the  contract;  work 
begun— 81.  Circumstances  attending  the  breaking  of  the  ground  ;  character 
of  the  foundation;  laying  of  the  first  stone;  laying  the  "  Corner  Stone,"— 82. 
Arrangements  ;  the  day ;  the  exercises ;  contents  of  the  "  Corner  Stone"— S3. 
Where  the  "Corner  Stone"  is  laid;  History  deposited  in  the  Corner 
Stone;  original  limits  of  Philadelphia— 84.  Municipalities;  population; 
Second  Church— 85.  First  Church,  N.  L. ;  Mr.  Patterson— 86.  Outgrowths— 87. 
Organization  of  our  church ;  survivors ;  first  elders— 88.  First  pastor ;  when 
and  where  installed ;  first  administration  of  the  Lord's  Supper— 89.  Death  of 
Mr.  Burroughs ;  a  pastoral  relation  formed  and  dissolved ;  participants  in  the 
installation  of  Mr.  Rood— 90.  New  elders;  participants  at  the  installation  of 
Dr.  Wilson— 91.  Participants  at  the  installation  of  Mr  Duffield ;  new 
elders— 92.  Participants  sat  the  installation  of  Mr.  Mitchell ;  new  elders;  a 
summary  of  history— 93     Anxious  mouths— 95.     Hopes  excited— 96.     Hopes 


IV  CONTENTS. 

disappointed  ;  reasons — 97.  Friends  in  need  ;  loans  secured — 98.  Roof  com- 
pleted and  tower  topped  out ;  a  delay ;  terms  arranged  in  the  sale  of  the  old 
property — 99.  Leaving  the  old  church  ;  reunion — 100.  A  new  people  posses- 
sing the  old  church;  opening  the  new  Lecture  Room — 102.  Simrlicity  of 
Presbyterianism — lOi.  Great  hail-storm — 105.  Voluntary  addresses;  collec- 
tions taken  at  the  opening  exercises — 106 . 

IX. 

FROM  THE  "LECTURE  ROOM"  TO  THE  "MAIN  AUDIENCE  ROOM," 

page  106-121 
The  work  already  done ;  alterations  from  the  original  plan — 106.  Contracts  for 
furnaces — 107.  Extras;  opinion  of  tliQ  building  contractor — 108.  Strength 
rather  than  beauty;  numerical  increase — 109.  Pew  renting;  new  mem- 
bers— 110.  Creation  of  a  mortgage  authorized ;  stocfe,  scrip  and  memorial 
fund — 111.  Memorial  committee;  success;  first  mortgage  cancelled;  an  ad- 
dition to  the  "  Building  Committee ;"  proposals  invited — 113.  Contract  made  ; 
how  the  building  at  this  time  appeared ;  woi'k  done  and  alterations  made — 114 
Pews;  separate  contracts — 115.  Organ  committee — 116.  Testing  gas  fix- 
tures; programme  of  the  dedication  services — 117.  Other  participants;  col- 
lection; social  gathering;  choice  of  pews — 120.  Committee  on  rentals; 
amount  of  rentals — 121. 

X. 

AMENDMENTS  TO  THE  CHARTER— INCREASING  THE  NUMBER  OF 
MEMBERS  IN  THE  BOARD  OF  TRUSTEES.  AND  CHANGING  THE 
CHURCH  NAME,    .        .        .        , page  121-131 

Amendments  proposed — 121.  Committees  report;  reception  by  the  congrega- 
tion— 122.  Power  in  a  name ;  reasons  which  suggested  the  change — 123. 
Another  congregational  meeting ;  committee  of  conference — 125.  Commit- 
tee's report,  and  action  thereon — 126.  Committee  on  names ;  names  pre- 
sented;  a  vote  and  results;  address  by  the  pastor — 127.  Committee  on  the 
amendments  to  the  charter;  charter  amended — 129.  First  election  under  the 
amended  charter;  final  report  of  the  Building  Committee;  a  look  at  the 
building — 130.    Weakness,  faith  and  triumph — !31. 

XI. 

A  LOOK  AT  THE  SPIRITUAL  CONDITION  OF  THE  CHURCH,    p.  132-140 

Attention  to  spiritual  afl'airs;  little  to  encourage — 132.  Numerical  weakness ; 
discouraging  times ;  the  war  for  the  Union — 133.  The  church  cold — 134. 
Blessings  elsewhere ;  tokens  for  good;  protracted  services — 135.  Fruits;  last 
communion  in  the  old  church  ;  light  in  the  cloud — 136.  The  roll  on  coming 
to  the  new  church;  good  beginnings — 137..  Special  services;  new  elder — 138. 
number  added  to  the  new  church ;  deaths,  removals,  whole  number ;  thanks- 
giving— 139. 


CONTENTS.  V 

XII. 

THE  SABBATH  SCHOOL, page  143-15* 

Need  of  this  article;  introductory— 143.  First  membera  of  this  church;  our 
Sunday  School  beginning— 144.  "Vicissitudes ;  division  into  departments  ; 
directors — 145.  First  mission  schools;  organization  of  the  Sabbath  School 
Association— 146.  Disbanding  the  first  and  organizing  the  second :  its  con- 
trol; members— 147.  Main  School;  organization;  superintendent;  numbers  j 
officers ;  teachers ;  class  names— 148.  Bible  Classes ;  first  on  record ;  changes ;. 
present  number;  Infant  School;  object— 149.  How  conducted;  numbers*^ 
Mission  Schools  under  the  Association— 150.  Number  of  scholars  in  all  the 
departments ;  monthly  prayer-meettng ;  commencement ;  interruptions ;  good 
results — 152.  Library;  previous  reports ;  present  condition;  Sunday  School 
papers ;  their  introduction ;  present  arrangement— 153  Rewards ;  when  in- 
troduced ;  how  changed  from  time  to  time— 154.  Akniversary  ;  missionary 
spirit — 155.  Where  contributions  have  been  sent ;  support  of  the  school — 15&. 
Legacy;  fitting  up  the  library  room;  a  gift;  the  school  and  the  new 
church— 157.  Special  donations  from  classes;  conversions;  importance  of  the 
work — ^158;  Encouragements — 159. 

XIII. 

THE  LADIES'  AID  SOCIETY, .  page  163-16S- 

Working  women ;  first  organization— 163.  Vote  of  thanks ;  Fair— 164.  An  in- 
vestment ;  first  money  towards  the  new  church ;  Mite  Society ;  a  grand  sup- 
per—165.  Success;  another  Fair  and  supper ;  Ladies'  Aid— 166.  Variety  of 
entertainments ;  net  amount  raised ;  disbursements ;  donations — 167.  Other 
disbursements  and  donations — 168. 

A  CLOSING  THOUGHT, ,       .       .       page  16» 

DEDICATORY  EXERCISES, page  173-182 

DIRECTORY, '.,,...        page  183-214 

Time  of  reception  of  new  naembera ;  form  of  reception— 185.  Baptism  of  chil- 
dren;  place  of  baptism;  time  of  baptism;  custom;  duty  of  parents— 191. 
Form  used— 192.  The  Lord's  Supper;  preparatory  lecture— 194.  Order  of 
worship  for  Sabbath  mornings  and  evenings— 196.  Order  of  worship  for  com- 
munion Sabbaths— 196.  Weekly  meetings;  monthly  meetings— 193.  Ses- 
sional meetings ;  certificates  of  dismission ;  annual  meeting— 199.  Former 
elders;  present  elders— 200.  The  Board  of  Trustees— 201.  Present  Board— 210, 
Former  Superintendents  of  the  Main  Sunday  School ;  former  Superintendents- 
of  the  Infant  School— 211.  Present  organization  of  the  Sunday  School— 212. 
Names  of  Sextons— 214. 


VI  CONTENTS. 


CONSTITUTION  AND  BY-LAWS, page  217-235 

Original  Constitution— 217.  Amendment  of  Article  VI, — 225.  Amendments  of 
Articles  I.  and  II.— 227.    Present  By-Laws  of  the  Board  of  Trustees— 230. 

APPENDIX page  237-241 

Endorsement  of  the  General  Assembly— 237.  Uses  of  the  old  building  on  Coates 
street ;  tearing  it  down— 238  Discoveries ;  a  larger  building  being  erected — 
239  The  name  of  Coates  street  changed ;  the  new  name ;  the  likenesses  of 
the  pastors— 240.    The  past,  comforts  in  the  present— 241. 


ERRATA. 

Page  15 — 15th  line  from  the  top,  instead  of  stone,  read  brick, 
"    70,        3d  line  from  the  bottom,  instead  of  dilapitated,  read  dilapidated. 

"    72,  11th  line  from  the  top,  instead  of  Messers.  read  Messrs. 

"    96,  8th  Hue  from  the  bottom,  instead  of  ^Vhilden,  read  MTiildin 
"  121,       6th  line  from  the  top,  instead  of  Boman.  read  Dornan. 
"  123,      8th  line  from  the  bottom,  instead  of  Presbyteria,  read  Preshyterial 
"  127,       2d  line  from  the  top,  instead  of  Craver,  read  Craven. 

"  137,  12th  line  from  the  bottom,  instead  oi  Rev.  G.  W.,  read  Rev.  G. 

"  167,  12th  line  from  the  top,  instead  of  one,  read  dane 
"  201,      7th  line  from  the  bottom,  instead  of  SetwaH,  read  Stewart. 
"  202,       7th  line  from  the  bottom,  omit  the  *. 

"  204,      4th  line  from  the  bottom,  instead  of  Eckhardt,  read  Erhardt. 
"  205,       8th  line  from  the  top,  put  *  before  A.  H. 
"  205,       5th  line  from  the  bottom,  omit  the  * 
"  210,      7th  line  from  the  bottom,  put  *  before  Robert 
•'  211,       2d  line  from  the  bottom,  instead  of  Mrs.  J  W ,  read  Mrs  J.  P. 


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